Thursday, July 3, 2008

Heat Won't Slow Us Down!

Wow. I can't believe it's been weeks since we updated this blog! Bad moderators! We've both been so busy with the Summer Reading Program (big shout outs to our Children's department!) and other things, we've been slacking off, but I promise you, our building crew is hard at work building the best library the Tri-Cities will ever see! According to our magnificent leader, the slab pour is complete. Slab pouring is a very complicated part of the building process, and with the unbearably awful I-want-to-move-to-Alaska weather we've been having the process was a bit more complicated, but our contractors covered the slab with blankets and felted wool, and kept the sprinklers going. This will (apparently) help the curing process. Next week look for the walker ducts (data ducts) to be installed, and more steel framing work. In fact, July and August will be ALL about the steel.

Arguably, the most dangerous parts of construction, in the order they happen are excavation, concrete sawing, slab pouring, and erecting steel. We are through three of the four with flying colors.

The roof is progressing, including a clean-up of the previous work to prepare for the new components to be installed. As long as we never again have to cover computers in trash bags because the roof is leaking right over them, and sparks are flying, I will be happy!


An interesting little anecdote about the construction team viewpoints. The librarian will ask "Will it work for the patrons?" The engineer will ask "Is it safe?" The builder will ask "Can we build it? Do the parts fit together?" The construction project manager will ask "Do we have enough money?" We are building a building that will answer ALL of these questions with a resounding YES!

As always, huge huge thanks go out to our construction team. I'm not sure they knew that working with this particular group of librarians was going to be quite as... interesting as I'm sure it has been, but since we feed them cookies once a week, they won't complain! (Right, boys?)


If you get a chance, stop by and see us at our temporary digs (1270 Lee Blvd.) We might not be the prettiest library just yet, but we still have the same great service and programs going on -- come on in and check us out!

(groan -- I know I know, but it's too hot to think of something clever today!)



Pictures from the top:

  • A really big crane
  • New slab looking towards old entrence
  • One of the new slabs
  • Digging Sewer lines (make those strong!)
  • Looking at the Art Wall (that will be inside the building)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Interesting topics could give you more visitors to your site. So Keep up the good work.

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