Normal Public Library patrons will soon have plenty more nearby parking spots to choose from.
The library’s board has approved a five-year agreement that will give library visitors year-round access to the parking lot just to the west, at Mulberry Street and Fell Avenue. The parking lot, normally used by students living in nearby off-campus apartments, was previously only available to the library during the summer.
The library’s number of surface-lot parking spaces will jump from 39 to 96, said Library Board President Jess Ray.
“We were responding to feedback we’ve received from the community in terms of accessibility. We’ve been trying to increase ways for patrons to get to the library,” Ray said. He cited programs like Curb It, which allows call-ahead, curbside pickup of materials.
Library patrons have always been able to use the nearby College Avenue parking deck, though some have seen it as a barrier because it's not right next door.
“The ability to use this parking lot year-round will allow library staff to be able to plan wonderful things, like the petting zoo that was there (Wednesday),” Ray said.
The agreement will pay the lot’s owner $15,000 each year over five years. The Town of Normal will also trade some spaces in the nearby garage so that tenants still have somewhere to park.
The Normal Town Council also must vote on the agreement. It goes into effect in August.
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