What's Happening @ Central

WHAT’S HAPPENING… The Central Library will be under construction for the next 7 to 9 months to expand and renovate the Children’s room. The first phases of the construction will be: 1) the installation of a temporary wall to separate the construction area from public service; 2) the removal of hazardous material in the construction area.

How Will The Work Be Done? The Central Library will generally be open during the renovation process because it involves a limited area that can be isolated from staff and patrons. The construction is scheduled for weekdays from 6 am to 2:30 pm. Beginning, Tues., Feb. 27, the Central Library week day opening hour will be changed to 11 am. This later opening will minimize overlap of noise and dust. Evening and Saturday hours are not expected to be impacted. Once a construction schedule is established, normal hours may return.

When Will This Work Be Done? ACI, Angeles Contractor, Inc, will be staging the parking lot for construction beginning Monday, February 19. Temporary interior walls will be installed from Feb. 20th and are expected to be completed by Monday, Feb. 26. Set up for the abatement of hazardous materials is expected to begin on Tuesday, Feb. 27th. The abatement, inspection and removal should take about 3 days. .

Is the Abatement Process Safe? The renovation project includes removing walls and bathrooms in the former Children’s Room. An analysis for hazardous materials in the construction area identified small amounts of lead in bathroom tiles and asbestos in modular walls. The abatement work is regulated by: OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), CAL/OSHA (California Division of Occupational Safety), and SCAQMD (South Coast Air Quality Management District). A licensed independent inspector will ensure that all regulations are met. Monitoring, inspecting and testing will be done throughout the process.

WHAT ABOUT STAFF….

How Will Staff Be Informed? Questions can be directed to Rick Brown or Carol Stone via email or in person. Do not expect an immediate answer. Do expect questions to be addressed in a Hard Hat Gazette issue or an email update from Carol Stone. The renovation is the major discussion agenda item for the Division Meeting at Central on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at noon.

Where Will Staff Work During This Project? At this time, staff will continue to work at regular work areas, but will be provided an option to work an adjusted work schedule (coming in later) to minimize the overlap of construction and public operation.

What If An Employee Does Not Want To Work During This Process? Because the Library will remain a safe working environment, all staff will be expected to work as scheduled. However, as with earlier projects at Canyon and Central, this facility will be a construction environment. Staff who may be more impacted by noise and dust may request vacation time, leave without pay, or a temporary transfer. Requests should be made to your supervisor.

WHAT ABOUT SERVICE….

How Will I Know What’s Going On?

Besides internal emails and postings, the Library will notify our patrons with a “What’s Happening” Board that will be updated with pictures, schedules, and communications with our users. Banners will be hung outside of Central and signs posted at all facilities with hours. The Central Library’s telephone message will include information on renovation and service hours. The Library’s web page at www.anaheim.net/library will also provide regular information.

How will Public Service Be Impacted?

The major impact on all users will be the temporary loss of morning hours. Until high nuisance work can be scheduled early in the morning, the Central Library will not open until 11am Monday through Friday. Saturday and evening hours are not expected to change.

The downsizing of Adult Services and relocation to the second floor will create a more crowded work space for our adults. However, all collections and resources are expected to be available during open hours. Adult computer classes are being offered at the Haskett Branch Library.

Youth Services will suspend or relocate morning services including StoryTimes and class visits. New locations will be posted and flyers will be available for parents.

HOW CAN I HELP?

The best way to help is with your personal support and positive energy during the renovation. From a favorite quote, “Keep Your Eye on the Prize”, not the problem. We are sharing in this transition to pass on an upgraded Central Library for to other library users. Perhaps, the first response to patron and staff concerns might be: “…..but isn’t it exciting that after 45 years, the Central Library is being improved for a new Century of service.