Week of MARCH 26-30 - UPDATE

EXTERIOR WALLS- WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY Question? Why is there banging on exterior walls everywhere if windows will be installed only on the northeast corner? Answer… The removal of concrete to install windows requires that additional shotcrete concrete be applied to other areas of the exterior walls to maintain the lateral strength of our building. Windows do not equal concrete. So rebar (the steel pins that have been giving us all headaches), has to be pounded into the existing walls to reinforce the concrete that will be sprayed onto the wall surface. The thicker concrete walls at other points on the building’s exterior maintain the lateral (side to side) strength of the structure when more windows are added. Who knew? Not me… which is why I didn’t alert anyone that the pounding would be right outside of circulation, adult services, administration, etc…

Question? Why did the banging go on until 8:15 pm on Wednesday? Answer – we have a tough building. They don’t make them this way anymore. More effort and time was required by the subcontractor to get all the steel into our walls. This work needs to be complete and inspected before Friday when concrete trucks are expected to arrive and start pumping.

NOISE ABATEMENT Orange ear plugs are available outside of Keely’s cubicle. They look like cheezos in a glass jar. Help yourself. More are on order. Patrick Allen, project manager, has stated that work will stop by 3 pm or earlier to day, so there should be a respite until tomorrow. Remember, check with your supervisor to ask to shift to later work hours to avoid the worst of the racket.

MERIT BADGES TO CIRCULATION Although all areas are suffering, I would like to acknowledge the extraordinary endurance of our circulation staff. The pounding was on the exterior wall in the circ work area. Since this is where the returned items and checkouts occur, circ staff could not relocate and did not abandon our brave patrons. Hats off and ears plugged to a great team who toughed out a very hard day. Irma and her team of Wednesday workers will each a free rental coupon so that they can recover with the more pleasant noise of music, video or audio book. If you have a recommendation for additional merit awards for above and beyond service, please send me an email nomination.

Week of APRIL 2-7

EXTERIOR WALLS- FRIDAY

Work continues on the exterior walls in preparation of the installation of large corner windows on the 1^st and 2^nd floor at the NE corner of Central. On Friday, shotcrete, a special spray mix of concrete, will be applied to walls. This work can not begin until after 8:30 because the concrete truck that will be pumping this mixture can not park on the street until after rush hour. The spraying on the north side will be done first. The Harbor side will be done later, minimizing noise/dust during open hours.

CONCRETE CHANGES

Additional concrete work includes pouring paths/sidewalks for new emergency exits from the Children’s area – 1 out to Broadway; another at the south wall out of the new Tween zone. An exterior wall will need to be cut into existing block wall to insert a new emergency door.

OTHER SCHEDULED WORK

The x-rays have been taken. Now they will be analyzed to determine where the new toilets/sinks can be placed. There will be more work in the basement drilling/cutting for pipes. The collections and materials are to be protected. If you have concerns about any items in the basement, see Rick.

DELIVERIES

The Contractor has agreed that all deliveries for construction are to be addressed to ACI job site – construction trailer. Patrick Allen will be leaving a notice on the closed trailer door if he is not available for a delivery on how he can be reached. The rear door will be signed “Construction deliveries at trailer.” If a delivery arrives that appears to be for the construction, please contact Rick or Admin. These changes are meant to minimize the impact on “loading dock” staff.

LOCKED DOORS

The interior back door to the basement is NOT TO BE LEFT OPEN. If you enter and see this door propped open, please close (you are welcome to kidnap the cone and give to Rick). Our project manager will continue to message to the subcontractors that they are to use the key provided for access to this area.

PROGRESS TO DATE

The job remains on schedule. Orders have been placed for shelving and furnishings. A vendor contract has been signed for the show set elements (giraffe, entrance, rhino, etc.). The contractor is working with the architect and Children’s to finalize a signage package. We are still on for an October opening.

EAR PLUGS BEING DISTRIBUTED

Ear plugs have been ordered and should arrive tomorrow (Wednesday, March 28^th). If you have been bothered by the renovation noise, please see your supervisor, who will have a supply as soon as they arrive. Please take advantage of this and other options available to minimize the noise factor.

Week of MARCH 26-31

CENTRAL – THE “BOOM”ING PLACE

The next phase of work scheduled is the installation of steel frames for doors, windows and walls. This work requires steel ½” nails to be shot into bottom and top steel tracks. Apparently, shot is the correct verb. If you hear what may appear to be booms or bangs – it is only frame work. This work will be down at the floor and up on the ceiling of the construction area. Be alert – the noise may make it seem as if the workers are coming up through the concrete to the 2^nd floor or down into the basement. This work will take 1 week.

IT’S “SAW” LONG SINCE SILENCE

To add to the cacophony, the steel pieces of the frame need to be sawed to size. So between the shots there will be the sound of steel on steel. Patrick Allen, project manager, will try to have this work done on the east side, away from our public area.

OTHER SCHEDULED WORK

Workers will be in the basement. An x-ray technician will be filming our concrete floor to identify where cuts will need to be made for plumbing pipes. All work is to be complete by 2 pm.

Week of MARCH 19-24, extra edition

CONCRETE WORK SCHEDULED

The new expanded Children’s Room includes 2 new emergency exits. As part of that work, new concrete walkways will be installed from the building to the public sidewalk. This work will be scheduled for the am. The concrete truck will need to park on Broadway during the pouring so this area will be down to 1 lane and traffic may back up to our lot entrance. The schedule is for 1 morning’s work sometime this week.

IT’S GETTING ROUGH

The next phase of work scheduled is the “rough-in” for plumbing, electric and HVAC. Now that the construction area has been disconnected from the current system, the infrastructure of wires, pipes, vents, etc. will be installed in preparation for new lights, toilets, fans, etc. This work will be going on for 2 weeks.

CONSTRUCTION AT OUR ENTRANCE

The contractor has been informed that the front entryway (narrow ramp) has to be kept clear of any construction – delivery, disposal, etc. during open hours to prevent a collision between users and workers. If you see any activity in that area, please inform Rick or Carol

Carol

Week of MARCH 19-24

WATER GOING, GOING GONE

Next system to be upgraded is plumbing. This is notice that the water will be off Wednesday from 6 to 10am so faucets won’t work and toilets won’t refill. What we now know, is that the building systems are so interconnected that work done in the Children’s area impacts the whole building. We also suspect that 1 day becomes 2 so this is an “alert” that bathrooms may not be functional until 10 am.

AND THE LIGHTS GO DIM

Guess what was worked on this week? No brain work required – electricity? No, really, not electricity but trenching in concrete. Apparently, wiring, pipes, cabling etc are supposed to be set in concrete at a certain depth so that, when trenching is done, previous work is not disturbed. What was discovered the hard way, is that the electric wires were at the trenching level and got cut, disabling the elevator and MPR rooms. The trenching is supposed to be done by Friday so the library should have functioning electricity.

PARKING LOT IMPACT- OFF SITE PARKING

Thanks to the 15+ Central staff who volunteered to get exercise by parking in the Church lot. At this point, construction crews are parking inside the construction fence and car pooling so the need for open spaces is not as high as projected. Staff with a pink pass are asked to check out the space in the library lot. If not crowded, park on site. If crowded, please go across to the Church lot.

Carol

Week of MARCH 12-16

PARKING LOT IMPACT- OFF SITE PARKING

Beginning this week, multiple crews will join the demolition construction project at the Central Library. In order to accommodate this increase in the use of our lot, Central Library staff are encouraged – asked – implored – incentived to park across the street before 2 pm. The First Baptist Church / Broadway Christian Center has graciously offered parking spaces along the east side of their lot for several weeks.

A hot pink Parking Pass has been designed, beautifully as usual by Lori Shensky, to be put in the front window of any library staff car parking in the Church lot. The pass can be picked up at Terri Goggin’s office.

Besides exercise and a feeling of goodwill for going the extra mile for our patrons, any staff member who signs up for a parking pass and uses the lot will be eligible for a weekly drawing for incentives. (Don’t ask what/how – I don’t know; I’m making this up as I type so it will be a SURPRISE.) There is space for about 22 cars.

PARKING LOT IMPACT- BLUE DISPOSAL BIN

The disposal bin at the north/east end of our parking lot will remain in place for the removal of the old HVAC system this week. However, the bins are not to be used anytime after opening. If any staff see workers removing debris after opening, please immediately notify Rick or Carol.

STAFF - KUDOS

Amidst the banging and crowding, I see welcoming smiles and positive messaging to our users about this interim disruption. With good suggestions for changes, our telephone system has been revised to quickly give information on our new hours. Several large blue/black signs direct Adults upstairs. Any further suggestions for smoothing this transition are gratefully accepted.

If we can’t be serene, we can be well fed. Join the celebration on Thursday for my favorite holiday, St. Patrick’s Day.

Carol

Week of MARCH 5-10

RENOVATION UNDERWAY

At today's Central Construction Team meeting:

1) On Schedule - The abatement is finished. Electric has been switched over in the construction area. Demolition of construction area begins. The demolition work, including removal, can be done without any staff impact. The demolition and removal of materials is expected to be done/out by Friday.

2) This week - The disposal bins at the north/east end of our parking lot have been placed there for the removal of the demolition debris. The bins were to be placed outside the south/east exit of the 1st floor, but the grass/earth will not support the weight of the bins. The bins are supposed to be removed during open hours. However, most likely these might remain in place through Friday. Please share any comments/concerns from patrons over the placement of the bins with Rick or Carol.

3) Next week, March 12-19 - Continue demolition; disconnect and demo HVAC and plumbing in construction area; begin to install steel framing for interior doors/walls.

4) Next Week Library impact - As of Monday, 3/12, ACI will be scheduling multiple crews on site. This will reduce morning parking space. Staff should remember to leave the spaces closest to the library for our patrons. The work on the framing may be noisy with the cutting and hammering of some steel frames. Interim operation hours continue.

5) Coming Up - Trenching in the concrete floor from the basement level for conduit. Exterior work for the placement of new windows will begin.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING

Our users will reflect our attitudes. I ask each of you to serve with a positive message and a smile, even when the public is negative and frowning. Agree that there are interruptions and service limitations at Central, suggest that patrons take advantage of our other branches, and remind our users and ourselves, daily, that this is an interim period and, by Fall 2007, Central Library will have wonderful new space (and 2 large windows) for our users.

Thanks for your continuing cooperation and flexibility.

Carol