Get Creative For New Library Space

Your artistic talents may end up getting you a space on the wall in the teen space at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library come spring.

The library is hosting a Design Out Loud contest that encourages teens to create their own original artwork for the library’s new teen space.

While the space won’t be completed until the spring, contest organizers are asking you to submit your artwork by October 31. Two winning pieces will be chosen to prominently decorate the new space, called the HUB, in an outrageous way

“The whole kind of idea with the new teen space is to increase teen participation in the space, so what we’re going to do with the artwork is incorporate it into the space,” Teen Librarian Tom Spicer said. “It should be a great way for them to create ownership of the space.”

How the library will incorporate the artwork, though, will be a surprise that teens and everyone else will see once the area is renovated, Spicer said.

The teen area is being redone as part of a six-month $2.8 million plan at the 500 N. Dunton building that will renovate the entire library.

It is only a small part of the overall renovations, but one that Spicer is hoping will be a big deal to Arlington Heights area teens.

As part of the overall renovation, the library will get a new “marketplace,” which will include the most popular books on display, a vending café, a living room with lounge seating and a fireplace, a new computer assistance area, more meeting space, and the new teen area.

The teen area will be the last part of the project completed.

Once it’s finished it should be a comfortable place for teens to hang out, and a space that has lots of new technology. Spicer said the area will have Apple products, since local students use Macs in the their schools.

“We’re all very excited and we feel like we’re going to offer a really amazing third space for teens that isn’t school and isn’t home,” he said.

The library has received a few submissions already for the artwork contest, and officials are hoping to get more before the October 31 deadline.

“The kids can be as creative as they want,” Spicer said. “We don’t have a theme for the contest, so they can be themselves.”

Artists can be between 12 and age 18-years-old, and submit up to two pieces of work.

You can do print or digital art, as long as it meets the library’s specifications.

The library’s graphic design team will choose the winners, which will be announced in November. The winning works will not only will grace the new teen area but will be publicized on the library’s teen website and social media.