JULY 31-AUG 6

FINISHING UP
The 2nd floor corner window alcove will get the finishing touches so this new special area will be available to our users. Electric and plumbing work is finishing in the basement. The final inspection for this work will be next week. Cabling work in the basement continues for new and relocated computers. Finally, after 3 months, the new concrete paths for the required ADA emergency exits are beginning.

LIGHTS AND FLOORS
The pendant lights in the modular ceiling tiles have been hung. Next up, are fixed lights that will be hung in the “hard” ceiling above the path through the new area. Three types of flooring are going in – carpet tiles in the shelving/seating areas; terrazzo for the path through the area; and vinyl in accent areas and in the equipment room.

FROM CONSTRUCTION TO FF&E
Now that most of the construction is complete, the next 2 months will focus on furnishings, fixtures and equipment. The shelving is ordered and expected to be installed within a month. Furniture and display units are on order. In the middle of August, expect to see animals arriving. Among the theming elements for this new space are a 10-foot giraffe, 3 tree trunks, a 30-foot mural, and life-size lion, rhino and elephant heads. These special attractions are funded through a major donation from Mary Toepelt Nicolai and the new room will be named for this long-time Anaheim resident.
As part of another large donation to support the new “7●8 PLACE,” the Anaheim Public Library Foundation has donated $10,000 for a “Tween” collection. These materials are being selected and ordered. New self checks, security cameras and computers are next up on the list of equipment to be selected and ordered. The Anaheim Public Library Foundation will help underwrite this phase of the project.

EXTERIOR PHASE
The next phase of the Central Library renovation will begin officially on Tuesday, August 7. The contractor for this phase is Thomco Construction. Because there will be 2 contractors working on site for several months, a major first step is the successful coordination of inside construction, outside construction and library operations. The first joint meeting to develop a plan will focus on access. A major challenge is how to build a new entrance canopy/walkway while delivering furnishings and accommodating patrons. A “tunnel” will most likely be built that connects our users from the parking lot, along the public sidewalk and then through a marked and semi-enclosed walkway to our front door. This entrance work requires the removal of the pay phone. Please refer patrons to Carl’s Jr. and/or the police station around the corner.
The library may need to be closed for several consecutive days when the existing canopy is removed and again when the steel beams are placed for the new canopy. A schedule of possible closure dates in late August/early September will be developed so both staff and patrons have some early alert about the availability of the Central Library.

CHILLING AC UPDATE
Although the new chiller for the Library’s air conditioning has already been installed, Facilities Maintenance is still waiting on some necessary piping before the new system can be enabled. They expect to have it set up by early September. In the meantime, Central will remain on the current backup system.