Flying the Steel...

Well, the building is really taking shape now. Most of the steel for the structure has been "flown" - which means it has been lifted into place. Our wonderful crew has been working hard to get everything in place. They are also working on a concrete re-pour over the power and data troughs. Framing in the old part of the building will start up again on Monday. They are also installing the sprinkler system. The next really big step will be to pour the second story floor slab. How cool will that be! The roof decking is being installed as well -- as long as nothing leaks, we will be happy. The really interesting part of all this is in the slab pour. There are both vertical and horizontal rebar in the slabs -- with the horizontal in a cross hatch pattern.




In some parts of the floor, an additional mesh is added to strengthen and stabilize the slab. That's really important in a library, because of the special requirements we have. Think about it -- the one bookcase you have in your family room is pretty heavy, right? Now multiply that by about a gazillion to get the weight of the bookcases a library has to support. Pretty awesome, right? (And, yes, I realize that a gazillion might be stretching it, but it's got to be pretty darn close!)


In the temp spot, our summer reading program is still doing great things. There are a few more programs coming up, so be sure to stop by the children's desk to check those out. We have also painted a big chalkboard square near the Young Adult area, and are constantly amazed by the things they have been doing with that. If you've had a chance to use that, drop us a comment, and let us know if you would like to see something like that in the new space.

Pictures:
* 2nd Floor Deck looking NE
* rebar and slab pour
* welding
* replacing the stained and icky ceiling