We're floored by the progress...

We have carpet in the second floor and recycled flooring in the staff areas on the first floor! We are all very excited about that, because that means we could have shelving installation on the second floor very soon. The carpet is actually (to my surprise) very nice. When we first saw the carpet squares, neither Lisa or I were terribly excited -- it looked to us like a bad flashback to the 1970's. But when it is all laid out in the basket weave style they decided on, it looks very nice. A HUGE thanks to the two guys (and a daughter) who spent the weekend arranging and gluing the squares down. They did a magnificent job!

The flooring in the staff areas downstairs is very cool looking. It is made from recycled tires and tennis shoes, and is very environmentally friendly. The area smells a bit like Les Schwab right now, but that should dissipate in a week or so. Upstairs where the carpet is, I can't smell any glue at all. Everything we are using is designed to be very good for the environment, and to minimize the impact on patrons with sensitivity problems. I'm not saying it will be perfect for everyone, but it should be much better than when we opened up in the temp spot.

Most of the ceiling work is finished, with just a few open areas left. Casework continues to be installed, and everything is looking very nice. After 17 months in a holding pattern, we are all very anxious to move back home. Our patrons are anxious as well, not a day goes by that someone doesn't ask us how soon before we can leave this building. Not soon enough is our reply!

However, before we leave, we will be starting the Summer Reading Program. June 1 is the start date, and check at the children's desk for information about the sign-up rallies. We also have a great teen program, and a new adult reading program for this year. All questions can be answered at the Reference & Children's information desks -- don't be afraid to ask them anything!

Have a great week, and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Theresa

On the homestretch...

Well, we are beginning to see the end of this project...finally! Most of the big construction/renovation work is done, and we are getting down to the finishing work and looking at punch lists and finalizing things.

Outside, the landscaping is almost completed, with some lovely trees and bushes flourishing in their new environment. The new birch outside of Ann's office is magnificent, and we anticipate the squirrels coming back home very soon. The entrance of the library is very impressive, with the plain and the fritted glass being not only environmentally friendly, but creating a striking visual impression as well.

On Wednesday, they were in the process of cleaning up the floors -- vacuuming and leveling and getting them ready for the carpet in the public areas, and the very cool recycled flooring for the staff areas. The feature wall behind the staircase is getting the wood planking added to it, and if Lisa and I get to work, the rest of that wall will be ready by the time we open.

Speaking of opening... the exact date for that is still not quite ready to be announced, but will be definitely sometime mid July. When we finally get the go-ahead to let you know (although I'm beginning to think it's the worst kept secret in this town!), we will let you know, and we will also fill you in on the dedication ceremony and the rockin' open house we have planned for August 8.

In the meantime, we are still plugging away at 1270 Lee Blvd. Summer Reading Programs are set to kick off on June 1, and that includes children, young adult, and this year we debut a new adult summer reading program! A huge thanks must be made to all our wonderful volunteers, and all the staff putting in extra hours on the RFID process. It's quite tedious, time-consuming, and sometimes frustrating, but will make things so much easier on both staff and patrons when we move back!

Have a beautiful week, and get out and enjoy this incredible weather!

Theresa

Pane-fully clear...

Whoops! Sorry about the missed post last week! I was on vacation all last week in the beautiful Big Sur/Monterey Bay area of California, and Lisa was supposed to do the blog entry, but we started a huge project with our collection, and she never got a chance! Mea Culpa.

We did make it over there today, and I can't believe how much got done in the space of just one week! The main thing to see right now are all the windows! The exterior windows are in and some of the framework is installed. The windows in the doors are in, and the windows in the offices are there. The floor to ceiling windows in the board room are installed, and it's just a tiny bit freaky to stand there and look straight down at the first floor!

The other big news is that the entryway floor is being sanded down to the final color. It's hard to see from the pictures, but the colors are a mixture of browns and golds and bronzes. Quite striking when the light hits it!

The circulation desk is installed, and makes a statement when you walk in. There's no missing where you can check your material out! Some of the interior "feature walls" have been painted as well -- they are very pretty with a kind of dusty blue and marigold color.

The flooring for the back area is not installed yet, but the rolls are there. It is some sort of composite recycled tennis shoe flooring, and should be very interesting. We have also heard a rumor that the carpeting upstairs will begin maybe this week, but that's just a rumor right now.

Outside, all the bare twigs and branches have leafed and flowered out, and the grounds are looking very picturesque. Soon we hope to be installed back where we belong, out of this temporary spot and into your beautifully restored and remodelled new building.

Theresa

Springing up...

Even though my visit to the site this week was rainy and dreary and icky, it was such fun to see the progress being made that the weather was not a problem. The new trees are being placed, and I can't wait to see them this summer when they are fully leafed out, and this fall, when the colors should be a brilliant herald of the cooler seasons. The sumac is all planted, and those cute little bushes with the white flowers are flowering now. The new birch planted outside our fearless leader's office is quite nice as well.

Inside, desks are being installed, lights are going in, and they are STILL wiring the building. The study rooms have whiteboards installed. The entry glass wall is almost all done, and it looks so beautiful. The mix of plain and fritted glass is quite stunning.They are also working on the concrete floor in the entry. I think they will be doing two grindings of the floor to get the effect that they want.

Upstairs, bathrooms are being put in, lights and speakers installed, and the glass railing overlooking the entry is coming in. It all feels so light and open and airy. I know some of that openness will disappear when the shelving comes in, but it will still be a cool place for people to gather.

I will be out on vacation next week, but Lisa will be delivering an update for y'all, and I'm sure she'll do a stellar job. Oh, also, if you want to return your material to the library, please still bring it back to the temporary location at 1270 Lee Blvd. I know there is an outside book drop at our real home, but it's not hooked up to anything yet, and staff is not working in the building yet. You'll know when to start returning things to the real library when the construction vehicles are gone, and there are cars and not bulldozers in the parking lot. Rich, our amazing contractor, is a really sweet guy, but he gets a bit.... testy... when people start wandering around his building site, so please everyone try not to go on site until we reopen in the summer.

Theresa