AURORA — The Aurora City Council voted 8-2 Tuesday night to place an $18 million library expansion bond referendum on the November 3 general election ballot, clearing the way for a public vote on the largest capital investment in the Aurora Public Library system's history.
The proposed bond would fund a 22,000-square-foot addition to the downtown Santori Library, including a new children's wing, expanded digital media lab, and 14 private study rooms. Library Director Patricia Okafor told the council the main branch has operated at more than 130 percent of designed capacity since 2021 and turns away an average of 340 patrons per day during peak hours due to lack of seating.