Manhattan-Elwood Library Board Approves Over $21,000 for Playroom Renovation and Picture Book Shelving

Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Meeting | January 26, 2026

Article Summary: The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board authorized over $21,000 in youth facility upgrades, funding a playroom renovation and the purchase of new picture book shelving.

Youth Facility Upgrades Key Points:

• The Board approved a renovation of the library’s playroom at a total cost of up to $13,000.

• Trustees authorized the purchase of additional picture book shelving for an exact cost of $8,122.74.

• Both facility enhancement measures passed unanimously via roll call votes.

The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library District Board of Trustees on Monday, January 26, 2026, voted unanimously to invest over $21,000 to renovate its youth playroom and expand its picture book shelving capabilities.

Operating under New Business during its regular monthly meeting at the Whitson Street facility, the board evaluated a pair of capital expenditures designed to enhance the library’s interior spaces for younger patrons.

The first major expenditure targeted the facility’s designated play area. Trustee Keri English made a motion to formally approve the renovation of the playroom, setting a strict expenditure ceiling of up to $13,000 for the project. Trustee Patti Blatti seconded the motion. The board approved the renovation unanimously with a roll call vote. The specific design plans, timelines, and contractors for the renovation were not detailed in the meeting minutes.

Immediately following the playroom vote, the board addressed a need for increased storage and display capacity in the children’s literature section. Trustee English moved to approve the purchase of additional picture book shelving. The motion authorized an exact expenditure of $8,122.74 for the new furniture.

Trustee Amanda Dearing provided the second for the shelving motion, which also passed unanimously by a roll call vote, securing the necessary funds to complete the youth department upgrades.