JUNE 5-11

LET THE LIGHT SHINE

1) According to Patrick Allen, Project Supervisor, the overhead lights are left on at night in the renovation area for safety so anyone in there after dark is not tripping over construction materials. 2) In the next week, the storefront glass will be installed on the corner windows. 3) The ceiling grid is in place. Next will be the installation of light boxes in the ceiling and hanging fixtures over shelving.

QUIET as a library?

At today’s meeting, the project manager confirmed that the worst of the noise and dust is behind us. The volume of noise should not go above what we have been hearing this week. One more “hole” will be opened in our building for a new emergency exit door.

THEMING

If you hear any strange noises, it may not be from construction, but from the designers who are creating wonderful and fun lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, monkeys and a snake for the entrance and Storytime area. At today’s showset elements meeting (official term for “theming”), Sharon, Kathy P and Carol approved giraffe, elephant and rhino “skin”; ok’d oak and acacia leaves and bark; requested more thin and less thick books on an entrance arch; and chose the font for the MARY TOEPELT NICOLAI CHILDREN’S ROOM lettering. We also discussed the paw prints that will be etched into the path to the Storytime area. I think it is safe to say that Carol, Sharon and Kathy have much better construction meetings, than Rick Brown who has to pay attention to electric conduit, fire sprinkler heads, and other vital, but not as fun specifics.

ETC…

The new chiller will be installed on the new exterior pad. This is being installed to improve air temperature in the building. All of the fire sprinklers in the renovated area will be replaced because the old ones are only 4 years away from expiration. Sprinklers apparently have a 50 year life cycle. The exterior renovation of our building had planned to incorporate the original tile. However, chunks of the tile have fallen off during the installation of Gunite and windows. If any one knows of a company that provides tile for historic renovation, please pass that info on to Rick.

THE END and BEGINNING ARE SCHEDULED

It is official. The renovation work on the exterior will begin in August. Construction of the new Children’s area will be completed by September 19. The relocation and re-rearranging of the 1^st floor will follow in September/October. There will be a soft opening of the new Children’s area until a Grand Rededication Ceremony of the renovated Central Library in November. .