The Mahomet Public Library is pursuing a $7.5 million expansion to address space constraints and better serve the community, with a bond referendum expected in 2026 to fund a portion of the project, while a final bond rate decision will be made in January 2026. 

The project aims to address space shortages that have developed since the library opened its doors in 2010.

When the Mahomet Public Library moved into its current 13,300-square-foot building on Highway 150 in 2010, it was already undersized for the community’s needs. A consultant had recommended a 26,000-square-foot facility based on population projections, but taxpayers ultimately approved funding for only half that size. Now, 15 years later, the building’s limitations have become overwhelming.

The Mahomet Public Library records 79,993 library visits over the past year—an average of 219 people walking through its doors every day. This represents a 10% increase in foot traffic compared to the 2023-24 period.

Much of that growth has centered on the library’s programming. Last year, the staff hosted 303 live programs that drew a total of 13,082 attendees—a 27% increase over the previous year.  

Additionally, the Mahomet Public Library’s circulation figures show it’s a resource provider for the community, with 181,166 books, ebooks, and other items lent to patrons over the past year. An average of 12.9 items are borrowed per person in the library district and 42 items per library cardholder.

Planning for the expansion began in 2019, when the Board of Trustees and staff worked with library consultants and architects to develop a comprehensive four-phase plan. The library intends to complete the first three phases simultaneously, with the fourth phase planned for the future as funding allows.

The centerpiece of the expansion will be a new 7,200-square-foot Children’s Library with a dedicated Teen Room. Story time sessions that can attract up to 70 children and parents are held in a meeting room that feels overcrowded on busy days. The new space will provide more room for children to read and participate in activities, and a glass wall will separate this area from the main library to reduce noise levels throughout the building.

The children’s area will also feature a new teen room, creating a welcoming and friendly space designed for them. The current teen space will be redesigned to offer a second study room open to the entire community.

The Edgar Room, currently the library’s only meeting room, is booked daily for library programs and public use, often hosting multiple events in a single day. Phase 2 features the addition of a significantly larger meeting room that can be subdivided into two rooms, doubling the number of groups the library can serve.​

The current Edgar Room will be transformed into a social space for the community—a warm and welcoming room with comfortable chairs and abundant sunlight where the public can visit or hold informal meetings such as Bible studies or book clubs. This room will also provide a place for people to eat and drink while working or socializing.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, library patrons showed strong enthusiasm for outdoor programming during warm-weather months. However, the library lacks shade to offer protection from the sun during these events. Phase 3 includes a covered outdoor patio with space for programs, concerts, and outdoor studying.

The fourth phase, planned for completion at a later date as funding allows, includes expanding the adult collection space and adding seven new one- to two-person study rooms along the eastern wall. Meeting rooms and study spaces are booked daily with demand far exceeding capacity. Library shelves are filled to capacity, and the collection barely meets minimum state standards for the population size. 

The library has developed a comprehensive funding strategy that combines multiple sources to finance the $7.5 million expansion. For several years, the library applied for funding through the Public Library Construction Grant Act program of the State of Illinois. Although the library qualified for a grant each year—potentially covering up to 43% of the project cost—the program itself has not been funded by the state legislature. With state grant funding uncertain for the foreseeable future, the Board of Trustees decided in spring 2025 to move forward with the plan while seeking only local funding.​​

The funding will come from three primary sources: private donations, library reserves, and a public bond referendum.

The library is actively engaged in a fundraising campaign to reduce the amount needed from taxpayers. Community meetings were held in June, July, and August 2025 to introduce the expansion details, answer questions, and gather feedback from residents. A Library Expansion Kickoff Meeting was held on September 29, 2025, to celebrate the future of the library. According to information on the library’s website, residents who wish to help or donate can contact John Howard, Library Director, or Susie Baker, Board of Trustees President.

The actual tax impact will depend on several factors, including the total amount of private donations raised and the amount pulled from library reserves. The Mahomet Public Library board of trustees will meet in January 2026 to discuss the final bond amount.

If the March 2026 referendum passes, the library expects to break ground in spring 2027. The construction timeline projects that the library could move into the new portion by the end of 2028. The project has been designed to serve the community’s needs for the next 20 years.