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Politics & Government

Future Uncertain for Palatine Library's Freeman Road Branch

Hoffman Estates branch should remain open through August as library officials talk with bank.

The future of Palatine Library’s in Hoffman Estates is uncertain after the building that houses the branch went into foreclosure.

The branch, located at 1262 N. Freeman Road, should remain open at least until Aug. 31, which is when the library’s lease on the building expires. After that, no one knows what will happen.

“We’re just waiting to see where things go from here,” library Director Susan Strunk said.

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The building went into foreclosure July 11, and officials were informed two days later. Strunk received news of the foreclosure via e-mail just a few hours before the library board of trustees was to vote on renewing the Freeman Road Branch’s lease.

“It was pretty surprising,” Strunk said.

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Library officials have been in contact with the bank that now owns the building (Strunk declined to name the bank) to determine whether the branch can remain there.

“We are in touch with them,” Strunk said. “We think that is a pretty good sign.”

According to a statement from the library, many residents suggested the library move the branch to vacant sites on Palatine Road, however library officials stated that after consulting a realtor many of those locations also are in foreclosure. Other suggested new locations along Algonquin Road are outside the Palatine Public Library District’s boundaries.

The Freeman Road Branch marks its 30th anniversary this year. The library originally was located at the site now occupied by the nearby Montessori School of North Hoffman. It moved to its present, 2,000-square-foot location in 1994.

Strunk has heard from Freeman Road patrons that they appreciate the branch’s proximity to their homes.

“A lot of the residents can walk to it,” she said, “which is good for any library.”

About 65,000 patrons visited the Freeman Road Branch during the library district’s 2010-11 fiscal year. That represents a 5 percent drop from the previous year, Strunk said.

The Palatine library also operates a branch in the , 1585 Rand Rd., Palatine.

Strunk said updates about the Freeman Road Branch will be posted to the news section of the library’s web site.

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