August 27th, 2010
In this fast-paced construction project, we’re constantly thinking about where to move things so they are not in the way of the construction. It’s very strategic because we want to move things as little as possible and we don’t want to move the same items multiple times over the course of the project. But magazines and newspapers for adults is one collection that has and will be constantly moved. The area they’ve always been housed in has been slowly growing smaller over the past month as the contractor moves the barricade walls. Right now the current newspapers are in the 2nd floor hallway. Next week the magazines are going to end up in the youth services department.
The adult paperbacks have been moved into the lobby but ultimately we need that space emptied. So we’ve made the decision to box up the paperbacks and put them in storage to get them out of the way. We still have the new paperbacks available for patrons to browse. The adult CD-Roms are also going into storage.
The new fiction has been moved once, the new non-fiction is being moved in the next few days and they will probably both move again next week.
We’ve posted a floor plan by the entrance that shows where things are at during construction. And, of course, staff are always happy to help you find things.
Tags: CD-Roms, construction, Magazines, paperbacks
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August 27th, 2010
The project is moving quickly. It is a whirlwind of activity. Leopardo is doing a great job of staying on schedule and working with us to create as small an impact on services as possible. On the first floor a barricade has been erected next to the circulation desk. They’ll be starting work in that area to create the vending café. The barrier wall in adult services will be coming down next week and a new one will go up at the other end of the department. The new restrooms should be open to the public in about 2 weeks.
On the second floor the wall between youth and the hallway is slowing being removed. The barrier wall in youth will be coming down next week. September 1 we will move the youth department staff into their new workroom (their old workroom will eventually be the Family Center) plus we’ll be moving the youth fiction and non-fiction into their new locations.
So far, staff have been able to see some of the new paint colors on walls, plus the new restroom tiles and counters. It’s very exciting to watch the changes.
Tags: Adult Services, construction, contractor, mover, Youth Department
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July 30th, 2010
Today the contractor installed the barrier walls on the first and second floors and started some demolition work. On Monday they’ll finish installing the barrier walls (boy, they get those up fast!) and demolition will continue. Though items have been moved around and things are a bit chaotic, our patrons seem to be “going with the flow”. As is the staff. How nice!!
A young boy asked one of the carpenters what he was doing. The carpenter replied, “I’m building a surprise for you.” The boy was quite excited. We’re hoping all our patrons will feel the same way. The staff certainly do.
Tags: construction
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July 23rd, 2010
Yesterday and today we kicked off the renovation projects by moving collections, furniture and shelving to make room for the construction.
During the week, the contractor came in and removed the glass and framework at the entrance to the Youth Department. This is part of the project and was done early to make room for the movers.
Yesterday the movers, Pro Lift Movers, moved youth materials into the Meeting Room – picture books, beginning readers, step-up books, kits and DVD/videos. Parenting and teen materials are in the process of being moved to new areas in the department.
For adults, the library IT staff have moved the adult computers to the first floor (along the east wall), also setting up the print center, PC Reservation and the new scanning station. Staff in Adult Services have moved the audio books and new materials to an area near the Reference Desk. CDs and DVDs shelves have been shifted. And the paperbacks have been moved to the lobby. Magazines and newspapers remain on the second floor for now (it’s a nice quiet place to hang out.) The movers disassembled shelving and stored it in the basement (boy these movers work very quickly!).
The receptionist desk has been cleared as that desk will be removed soon. We’ll continue to have a receptionist answer the phone but this will occur in the Circulation workroom.
Monday the contractor will start receiving supplies to help them build construction barricades separating the public and staff from the construction work.
Things are pretty crazy right now, but staff have been really great about pitching in and doing what needs to be done. And the rest of the staff have kept the library running.
Tags: Adult Services, Furniture, mover, Pro Lift Movers, Youth Department
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July 23rd, 2010
The furniture bids also came in below the estimated budget – by $26,000.00. Yeah! This includes cleaning and reupholstering existing furniture, additional end panels and tops for shelving and new tables, lounge chairs, task chairs, computer tables, cafe furniture and service desks. All the service desks are designed in pieces so that they can easily be redesigned in the future. (Our current desks are bolted into the floor and completely inflexible.) As far as seating goes, we’ll be adding 35 seats in the renovation.
Tags: Cost, Furniture
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July 7th, 2010
The most important day in the building project (except for our re-opening after the renovation) is the bid day. Will the bids allow us to do want we want to do? The answer is YES as the low bid came in about 8% less than the estimate. The contractor with the low bid is Leopardo Companies, Inc. All the contractors had to pre-qualify first by demonstrating experience in similar projects and showing good financial standing. Leopardo has done many jobs similar to ours and has very enthusiastic references. The start date for the project is July 26.
We also selected a mover for the project, Pro Lift Movers. This was done through a bid process last month. The mover has 30 years experience and a lot of experience in libraries.
Currently the furniture is out to bid and those figures are due July 13.
Tags: bid, contractor, Leopardo, mover, Pro Lift Movers
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April 16th, 2010
We’re having great fun working with the interior designer. We recently selected fabrics for upholstered furniture. There are so many beautiful fabrics, my head is swimming with colors!! In the current building there are 166 chairs for study or lounging. In the new floor plan there are 201. The service desks are also being designed. The desks will all be modular which will make it easier to change things in the future if needed.
Recently the board reviewed the building project budget. The architect is being conservative and prepared construction budget numbers that reflect past history of construction costs rather than trying to guess what the bid numbers might be in the current economic climate. Taking into account everything that we would like to include in the project, the budget total is $96,000.00 over the cost of $1,300,000 set by the trustees. As such there are a few pieces of the project that will be bid as alternates which means they will only become part of the project if the base bid comes in low enough to include them. Some examples include leaving the first floor restrooms where they are (though they would still be renovated) and installing carpet throughout the lobby. (The plan calls for tile in the lobby because this holds up much better over time.)
Bids are currently scheduled to be opened May 28, at which time we’ll know exactly what can be included in the project. The construction start date has been set as July 26 and should take about 6 months.
Tags: construction start time, Cost, Design process
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March 25th, 2010
In the past month, we have had two meetings with the interior designer. The meetings take up most of the day and leave everyone feeling “brain-dead” (but in a good way) because of the many decisions being made. Carpet and paint colors have been selected for all the areas. One big change in this design is that there will be a much wider range of colors used in the building than is used now. The first and second floors will have very different looks but each is drawing from what is generally considered “earth tones”.
We’ve reviewed furniture that will be re-used, what furniture needs to reupholstered and what needs to be purchased. We’ve also started talking about the type of storage needed in each service desk. The current service desks will be removed completely – they are built into the floor and actually have to be demolished to be removed so we can’t recycle them. The service desks in Circulation and Youth Services will be smaller than they are now and we’re combining the Reference and Readers Advisory desks into one.
This doesn’t have anything to with the building remodel, but I want to share interesting statistics with you which underscore the roles that libraries play in peoples’ lives. Actually it does tie into the renovation – more reasons to create a wonderful library for the community.
Tags: Design process, Library usage statistics
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February 17th, 2010
Well before an architect was selected, the library trustees and staff went through a process called GASP which is used to create a brand or identity. Once the identity is defined it is used to guide all decision making in creating new spaces, selecting colors, furnishings, etc. Basically, it is used to define the desired characteristics of the library building. GASP is an acronym:
- Graphics – initial impressions
- Ambiance – the mood or feeling
- Style – the tone and character
- Presentation – delivering the concept
The trustees and staff brainstormed adjectives relative to each of these concepts and came up with the following:
Graphics
v Creative
v Unique
v Consistent
v Attractive
v Interesting/Inviting/Engaging
Ambiance
v Welcoming, inviting
v Cozy, feel at home
v Easy to navigate, intuitive
v Approachable
Style
v Casual/informal
v Highlight building features
v Integrate nature
v Suburban feel
Presentation
v Proactive
v Eco-friendly
v Innovative
v Clear
v Diverse – different interests = different formats and styles
Tags: Design process, GASP process
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February 17th, 2010
So what is happening on the second floor? With magazines and computers for adults moving to the first floor, the area that currently houses these items will become part of Youth Services. And that extra space is needed! Usage of Youth Services has grown dramatically since the building first opened. The area for teens will about double in size. They will be located at the south-west end of the second floor. While the current teen area has seating for 12, in the new design there is seating for 19. School-age children also get more space and more seating including lounge chairs.
The north end of the department focuses on younger children. Over 600 square feet will be devoted to a special interactive space for parents and children including three computers specially designed for young children. More seating for children and parents will be provided throughout this area. The picture books will be shelved in face-out in bins rather than spine out on shelves. This allows for easier reading of titles and authors and provides the appeal of the wonderful illustrations on the front covers. Books shelved with their covers facing out are very enticing to children. Other libraries using this type of book display report 30 – 40% increase in circulation. The story time room will remain where it is but will get new flooring and cabinetry to store books and supplies used by staff for story time.
The meeting room will also remain where it is on the second floor but will get an updated look with new carpeting, paint and chairs. In addition, a new restroom will be built across from the meeting room. Because of limited space it will be one restroom that can be used by all.
Tags: Design process, Youth Department
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