In 1977, the architectural firm Hammond and Beeby expanded the second floor to cover the entire width of the building, adding 8,000 square feet (740 m2) and new children's and audiovisual areas.

In 1999, a citizen's committee recommended that a much larger building be constructed – 100,000 square feet (9,300 m2) or more – and the referendum process began again.

The library had already acquired the adjacent property north of 834 Lake Street, the site of the Hemingway Interim House.

During construction of the new building, the Main Library operated out of a temporary location at 215 Harlem Avenue in Forest Park.

In 1939, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Dole donated a building at the corner of Augusta and Cuyler to the Village of Oak Park to be used for "cultural and recreational purposes".

Twenty-one years later, on November 1, 1936, the South Branch Library moved to its present location on the corner of Gunderson Avenue and Harrison Street.

Other renovations to the building included upgrades to the heating, air-conditioning, and wiring systems, a repair of drainage problems, and the construction of a front entrance ramp.

Commemorative engraved bricks, purchased by staff and patrons to support the Maze Branch renovation, were installed at the southwest corner of the lot to create a storytime plaza near the existing terrace.

In November of that year it was presented the Cavalcade of Pride award from the Community Design Commission of the Village of Oak Park.

Cardholders can also download and stream digital books, audiobooks, movies, and music through a collection of database subscriptions.

The library's Special Collections include rare editions, photographs, correspondence, and other artifacts from local figures such as Ernest Hemingway, Edgar Rice Burroughs, and Frank Lloyd Wright.