It may not look like it, but things are changing!

Well, things are progressing on the building. According to our secret sources, the first lift for the stairs has been poured and the second (and final) pouring will be done next week. They are back filling the slab grade – aka making the ground level again. The plumbing is beginning to branch out from the main lines to go throughout the building (and TRUST ME... we are making SURE the plumbing will be able to handle EVERYTHING that comes it's way! We are all experts on plumbing after five months in our temporary location). The conduit for data is being laid. (So hopefully our new computers will be blazing fast) Some new steel around the elevator and stairs has been installed so the shoring will be coming down. Next time you are driving by the building, see if you can spot the changes in the location.


On the home front, we are all busy obsessing about how many shelves we need in which locations, and how high the bookshelves need to be. Our Circulation Supervisor (and master of all things move related) has counted EACH and EVERY shelf in the ENTIRE LIBRARY. TWICE. Sometimes THREE times. And no, you don't have to be overly analytical to work in a library, but it does help.

Remember, our summer reading program starts on June 4th. This year, we are celebrating the
50th anniversary of the City of Richland. Look for some really cool events this summer related to that. Our Teen program is also alive and well. Check at any of the service desks for info about the gaming afternoons we will be hosting.

And lastly, if you have a chance to walk by the building site, and see one of the many hard workers that are so diligently building your new library, give them a friendly wave, and tell them how much we all appreciate their excellent work!

Photos from top to bottom:

• One of the stair lifts being poured
• Steel beams on the interior
  
• Grade Beams being poured
• More Grade Beams
  
• A very big crane!

Continuing on with more of the same

Work continues this week on the elevators, the stairs and the grade beams. Conduit is also being run throughout so there will be both electricity to the building and internet and phone lines.

Things are lookin' up...

The new stair tower is in the foreground, with an elevator shaft in the background.

Yippee -- two updates in one week. According to those in the know, the elevator walls are complete and are being coated with a moisture barrier for the below ground portion.

The below grade footings are complete (136 yards of concrete) and will be followed by the pile cap and beam footings, which will show from the street.

The next big project will be the stair tower.

What that means is soon we will be able to see concrete (no pun intended) progress on your new library! Staff is very excited about this - while we appreciate the temporary spot greatly, we are all looking forward to being in the new library within a year (we hope!).


On non- building news, remember to save the date of June 4, 2008. That is when sign ups for our Summer Reading Program begin! Please check in at the Children's' desk to get the scoop. And, as always, many thanks to our great patrons for being so supportive and understanding! Richland Library patrons are the bestest of the best!

Deliveries of Steel Beams

Cool perspective of the elevator shaft, and more grade beams being poured

Installing the grade beams

As I drive by each day hoping to see some major progress all I see is dirt! I, apparently am a very impatient person and really want to go home! The construction is going smoothly and is actually being done on schedule, but I want to see new walls going up so I can see the day-to day progress! I imagine many of you are also wanting to see this type of progress. Right now, the piles of dirt are getting smaller and the crew is installing the grade beams. What this means, is soon we will all start to be able to see the new library become more of a reality.