Richland Public Library Under Construction

We made it!

2009-07-20T13:10:00.000-07:00

With a little help from our friends and a lot of late nights and early mornings, the Richland Public Library opened its doors back at the home location on Friday, July 17th. A parade of about 100 kids, parents and our reading dogs carried the last of the books from the temporary location up the street a couple of blocks where hundreds more were waiting to get the first glimpse of how their tax dollars are being spent.

Richland City Mayor John Fox, City Manager Cindy Johnson, Library Board Chair Sally O'Neal, Library Manager Ann Roseberry and past Library Manager, Wayne Suggs were among the dignitaries speaking and also helped cut the ribbon into the newly expanded library. The Knights of Columbus also had a flag dedication ceremony. The Knights dedicated the flag pole to the library and have maintained the flag for many years and have agreed to continue doing so.

Library staff worked until nearly midnight the night before the big reveal and were back at work by 6:00 a.m. trying to get things running smoothly. Opening day, however, did not go without an occasional glitch like the library card machine crashing, the self checks going a little spastic and staff trying to figure out a brand new checkout system with virtually no training!

If you've been in, you might have noticed the lack of signage - we promise there will be signs SOON! Right now, pretend the library is your own little place to hold a scavenger hunt. Staff will be happy to try and help you find what you are looking for, but it might take a few minutes because we are still adjusting ourselves.

What to expect in the next few weeks: SIGNS, Automated Book Drops, new Login software on the computers, The Friends Book Sale Room, Coffee Shop, additional attractions in both the Richland Room and the Story Circle, and meeting rooms for use.

Remember to mark your calendars for Saturday, August 8th. Big Open House @ the Library from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. Entertainment for the entire family all day long. Watch for special appearances by Children's Musician, Eric Herman and an evening of Blues with the Thunder River Boys and the JavaTones just to name a few.

Almost there...

2009-07-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

It is just a few short days until we open the doors of the fantastically beautiful new and improved Richland Public Library to its owners - you, the taxpayers of Richland. Staff, along with our buddies at Chervenell, Perfection Glass, Larsen Transfer, Spacesaver and a few others have been working night and day to open up on time.

Over the past 10 days, over 6,000 shelves have been installed, all the books and other library materials have arrived in the Larsen trucks and have been unloaded onto said shelves. The story circle is currently being installed and today, the tables and chairs are arriving. If you look outside, you will see the new benches and garbage cans out front along with the art piece of the two children reading that has been relocated from John Dam Plaza.

Last week, the Library Foundation held a dessert gala where over 200 people purchased tickets to attend the fundraiser for the Richland Room Collection that will showcase local history. Special guests at this function included staff who worked in the old library before it became the new library, that became the old library and now is new again!

Que Sera Sera

2009-07-01T15:31:00.001-07:00

This is our motto for the next few weeks. Whatever will be, will be. We're right in the middle of packing and hope to start our move Monday July 6th. We are freaked out by the whole thing, and have pretty much decided that we have NO schedule for this move. We are going to wing the heck out of this thing! (Which, for the usually well organized librarian is a terrible thing indeed)

However, we are committed to opening up again on the 17th of July. We decided we would rather move over as soon as we were able to operate at a functional level, so that we could avoid another month's rent, so that we could open our doors to our patrons as soon as possible, and so that we could be back home in a building with working plumbing. What that means to you is you will have the opportunity to play "I Spy" in the new building while hunting down the new items arriving each week.

I know that some of you might have noticed the extreme emotions running through the staff at this time. Rest assured, we should all be back to our normal happy fun (sane) selves by about... December? No, really we should be ready to have fun and party on both July 17th for the Ribbon Cutting ceremony, and on August 8th for the Grand Open House.

During the next two weeks, we will try to keep you posted on what's happening in the library and look forward to seeing each and every one of you at the ribbon cutting ceremony on July 17th. The parade will begin at 9:30 and start at the temporary location at 1270 Lee Blvd., and finish up two blocks away at our real home of 955 Lee Blvd. The Ribbon Cutting ceremony will begin at 10:00 am, and the doors should open by 10:30am.

Stay cool and we'll see y'all in two weeks!

Theresa

Beware of flying Peeps!

2009-06-19T09:17:00.001-07:00

The staff is starting to freak out at a rapid pace now, realizing that Opening Day is just FOUR WEEKS AWAY! We are in the midst of so many projects that have to be completed before we can open and it seems each and every day, something new gets added. If you happen to be walking past the back staff area and hear strange noises like thumps or screams, just ignore us - chances are, we are throwing something against the wall in frustration! Our favorites include some stale Peeps left on a desk months back, a cush ball, a super ball and a couple of stuffed items. We are trying to maintain our composure while we are out in the main area, but if you happen to witness a small temper tantrum, know that it is nothing our patrons have done, it is just stress getting to us and either ignore us, or feel free to offer us chocolate!

Over at the site, the upstairs that was so huge and open in months past, is now being filled with book shelves and it is beginning to look a lot like a library. Outside, they are finishing up the landscaping and the patios. On the main floor, the last of the carpeting is being installed in the meeting rooms and the finish wood work and tile work is coming to completion.

Mark your calendars for two big dates - Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and first day back "home" will be Friday, July 17th. On this day, we will have speeches and dedications and formal ceremonies before you get to peek inside.

The big blow-out party day will be Saturday, August 8th from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. On this day, we will have local musicians, jugglers, remote control cars and planes, Eric Herman performing for the kids, face painting, and to end the evening, the JavaTones will be blasting out the blues!

Until next week, Lisa

We need a nap...

2009-06-11T15:35:00.000-07:00

Well, it is 21 days before we close this place down to move back home, and almost all of the staff has been putting in extra hours both in planning the move back, and in getting this place ready to move. We have placed RFID tags in almost all the books, with just the last half of non-fiction and the biographies to go. We are cataloging and processing the Richland Collection materials, including some very interesting old Corps of Engineers documents from 1947. We are also eagerly awaiting the delivery of our "Opening Day Collection" materials that need to be finalized before they can go out on the shelves. We are very very tired right now!

Over in the library, it is positively swarming with people. The carpet is almost finished, the handrails are being installed in some staircases. The elevators are in working order. The bathrooms better be in working order by the time I have to start working over there. Everything is beginning to come together.

Shelving was delivered yesterday, and already the upstairs has lots of shelves roughed out. It does diminish the open feeling a bit, but it's still a beautiful space and I know you will all love the second floor.

This was the first day that we could really see the impact that no school has on our facility. Summer reading sign-ups for both children and teens are going like gangbusters, and several people have inquired about our first ever Adult Summer Reading program. That will actually begin on July 27 and go through sometime in September, so be on the lookout for that when we reopen.

Just a little reminder. Absolutely Nothing Nothing NOTHING is due back on July 3 -July 17. So please, unless you really feel the need, don't worry about returning material to the library while we are closed. We will be closing our book drop at 1270 Lee Blvd. on July 2 at 5:00 pm, and nothing will be able to be returned to this building after that. The book drop at 955 Northgate will more than likely be open by July 3, but I'm not promising anything right now. Also, while we are closed, there will be no telephone service. You will still be able to monitor your account online, so make sure you know your user id and pin number before we close. If you have any questions about any of this, just inquire at any of the service desks in the library.

Enjoy your weekend, and get some sleep. I know I plan on doing so!

Theresa

It's official....

2009-06-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

Probably the worst kept secret in the Tri-Cities can finally be officially announced. We will be closing at 5:00 pm on Thursday July 2, 2009. We will remain closed until Friday July 17, 2009. During those scant 12 days, the library staff will be moving every single book, movie, books on tape/CD, game, music CDs, periodical, newspaper, and just about anything else you can think of back home. The only thing we will be leaving are (most) of the bookshelves, the office systems and the public furniture. As for what will happen to the things we don't bring back with us? That hasn't been decided yet that I know of. As soon as someone tells me something definite, I will let y'all know!

On July 17, we are planning an official and very dignified Ribbon Cutting and Dedication. It will involve speeches by various important personages (mercifully, we will keep the speeches very brief!), a formal flag raising ceremony, and some other activities that we'll let you know about in a bit. On August 8, we are planning a very unofficial and rather undignified open house that will involve many musical guests, demonstrators, dances and other surprises. Look for more information on both of these very soon (gulp!)

Carpeting is just about complete in the upstairs portion of the building, as well as on the first floor. The floor in the staff areas is also virtually finished, with just a few spots here or there to complete. Next week, we hope to begin installing the shelving system. It's been quite a nail-biter on when the shelving would be able to start to go in, and we're very happy that it's turned out to be sooner rather than later.

The concrete pad outside the building is being poured this week, and if you've noticed, the flag pole is back up, and placed in a much more prominent spot now. Many thanks to the Knights of Columbus, who have taken care of our flag needs for many years now.

In the midst of all this hoopla, summer reading sign ups are underway. Children and Teens can sign up for the first part of the program now, and then complete the program when we open back up again in our real home. Adults will be able to start their summer reading program once we move back. All in all it looks like this is going to be a very busy summer!

Stay cool, and come and see us during our last few days in exile at 1270 Lee Blvd.

Theresa

We're floored by the progress...

2009-05-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-05-21T15:55:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-05-13T11:01:00.000-07:00

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...

2009-05-01T16:32:00.000-07:00

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

It's been an interesting week...

2009-04-22T22:30:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm sure by now most of you have heard of our little episode with the small electrical fire in the temporary location. Thankfully, nothing was harmed, and the only problem we had was a bit of smoke. And a melted transformer, but that has been replaced, and all is (hopefully) well. Sigh. Is it July yet?

The good news is they are really slamming over at the real library. The breathtaking entrance facade is going up at a very rapid pace, and the feeling of open and welcome permeates that space. Even the guys working the site tell us how much they like the overall design of the building.

Some of the service desks are in place, including the Young Adult desk

and the main Children's desk.

The tack board for the Children's area is also going up, and plans are already underway to design some cool displays. The pendant lights that will hang over the story circle are in place, and have been unwrapped. The glass is gorgeous and comes in three colors:

Amber

Blue

& Clear

It all looks tres cool!

We also have WATER FOUNTAINS!!! No more will you have to get a tiny Dixie Cup at the front desk and use the bathroom water. Wait, that did not come out right. Let me rephrase. No more will you have to use the water from the bathroom faucet. Does that sound better?

The landscaping is continuing, with some of the new trees already planted along Swift Avenue, and some really pretty flowering things in the parking lot. (Can you tell I'm not the most knowledgeable about plant names?)

Lisa and I want to let all of you know how much we appreciate the comments about the blog, and encourage all to leave us a little note if you can. Thanks for all your support, and just think, we are just a few months away from leaving the temp space and moving back to our beautiful new space. Personally, I cannot wait to get back home!

Theresa

From the Road...

2009-04-17T06:32:00.000-07:00

Hello all from Sunny & Chilly Spokane! Lisa and I are at the Washington Library Association conference in Spokane Thursday - Saturday. As always, these conferences are fun, informative, very social, and completely exhausting! This is also the conference that Lisa receives her award for being the WALE employee of the year. She has to give a speech today, and is a bit freaked out about the whole thing so, of course, I am doing my part to be supportive and patient and secretly laughing at her at all times.

Over at the site, Wednesday was a beautiful day, and the first Wednesday morning in a long time that was sunny! Against the bright blue sky, the recycled metal panels gleam, and the brick looks completely rejuvenated. The glass wall on the front of the library was being installed that morning, and looks marvelous. If you look carefully, you can see that some parts of the windows are fritted glass. That is (apparently) carefully designed to make sure that the "hot" spots are given some protection. This is just one of the ways we have strived to keep costs down in the building and create a better world by using less energy in heating and cooling. Of course, it looks pretty cool too!

Most of the Sumac is planted, and some of the trees are going up in the parking lot. Every week gets closer and closer to us moving back home, and we are all so excited. We're also by turns nervous, scared, on the verge of a breakdown, and hysterical, but I think most of us should make it through this time with our sanity relatively intact. And some of us, I had my doubts about their sanity before we started this project, so I'm not blaming the move on their peculiarities!

Theresa
A quick note from Lisa - yes, I am freaking out about having to speak in front of hundreds of people, so have ducked into the motel room for a quick re-visit of my speech. As any of you who know me know, I LOVE to talk! I just hate public speaking. The conference has been fun and Theresa and I have diligently inspected our beds for bedbugs. Luckily, we didn't find any. (Today Show special report the day before we left)

On a building note, mark your calendars for Saturday, August 8th. We are planning an all-day blowout of activities from 10:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. We will have children's programs, music, demonstrations, and even a couple of local Blues Bands to finish off the evening with a rockin' good time.

Let me give you some dirt...

2009-04-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

Now that the weather is finally becoming a bit more Spring-like, you will see lots of activities on the outside of the building. The metal panel work is finishing up, as well as all of the window work. Down on the ground, there are lots of people spreading and planting beautiful plants. In the parking lot, they are putting in dwarf sumac and spreading lots of dirt and mulch. Pretty soon you should be able to see some new trees going in as well.

Inside the building, they are still working on the concrete floor in the entrance. When we were over there Wednesday, they were also installing the pendant lights that will hang above the new story circle. Bathrooms are being tiled, and they include the really pretty accent glass tiles.

(This picture tickles me -- can't you just hear "Workin' in a coal mine Goin' down down down Workin' in a coal mine Whoop! about to slip down..." )

Even with all the tools and gadgets and assorted junk that is in the building right now, the open airy feeling permeates the entire space. We are all looking forward to moving home very soon. The countdown is on for us, and we are frantically attempting to get everything together so the move back will be as smooth as possible.

We still don't have a firm date for the closure and move, we are going forward with the assumption of a mid July date, but as anyone who has ever built a house or added on an extension knows, something always comes up, so we are not publishing a specific date right now. Just know that we are all working as hard as we can to get back home as fast as we can --- if our collective mental powers were strong enough, we'd be back home already!

Have a wonderful week, and if you happen to be walking by the site and see some of the guys diligently working away, let them know how much you appreciate them -- they are working very hard to see that our library is the best it can be!

Theresa

Continuing construction...

2009-04-02T10:35:00.000-07:00

The building site is buzzing with all the energy being put forth this week! We have people working on electrical, working on painting, installing counters and cabinets, tiling bathrooms, leveling floors, sanding walls, and a multitude of other things going on!

Right now, the outside is being worked on with the metal panel installation, and window installation. I'm quite sure the Perfection Glass dudes are pretty tired of Lisa and I taking their pictures, but they are so photogenic we just can't help ourselves!

In the entry way, all the pendant lights have been hung, and they are working on final pour for the concrete floor. Personally, I am looking forward to the first musical act we have in the new entry way. With all that open space and hard surface, I'm betting the acoustics will be incredible!

Over in the temp building we are all ~~freaking out~~ diligently planning for the move back. With all the different parts and pieces to take care of, if you see a staff member sitting in a corner silently sobbing to herself (or himself), please just gently escort them to the front desk. We will take care of them from there!

Theresa

Insert clever title here...

2009-03-26T12:05:00.001-07:00

Do you want to know the most difficult thing about doing this blog? It's coming up with the titles for these blog posts! Finding something witty, amusing, and relevant each week is quite taxing, so this week you get to make up your own title.

Every week when we go to the site, the changes just take our breath away. Sometimes they are huge changes, like the addition of the metal paneling on the outside of the building. Sometimes they are small little discoveries like the really cool lights in the children's area. But they are always amazing to us, and necessitate several minutes of "How cool!" and "Wicked Awesome!"

The grand entryway just seems that much grander with the installation of more of the wood panels in the ceiling, and the beautiful (and huge!) hanging pendants in the entryway. The feature wall behind the staircase will be beautiful, and the coffee area is coming along nicely.

Upstairs, the steel beams have been painted, and the floor is being smoothed out. Wiring continues to be a major job, and will continue until every corner of the building is full of power and data. Meeting Rooms are beginning to take shape, and almost all the interior walls are finished.

It's been a long wait for this to be finished, but we are beginning to see a glimmer of hope that we'll be able to move back home soon. We would like to thank all our awesomely incredibly wonderfully loyal patrons who have supported us through this whole experience with patience, humor, sympathy, and most importantly chocolate!

Theresa

It's getting closer...

2009-03-19T15:00:00.000-07:00

When we first started this expansion and remodeling project, it seemed like we would never return home. In December of 2007, we were looking at about an 18 month project, and the future was impossibly hard to see. Now, 15 months later, time seems to have both flown and crawled by. I can't believe we are looking at moving back in July. We all have such mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, we are positively giddy at knowing we shall soon be back in a proper library, with the latest technological (and plumbing!) advances. On the other hand, oh my, is there a lot of work still left to be done!

Staff is very hard at work attempting to pull together all the myriad little details that go into moving a library. You'd think that having done it so successfully in 2007, we'd be able to just reverse the process. However, it's kind of like getting map quest directions. They work if you are going from point a to point b, but trying to follow them from b to a does not work. (Trust me, I once navigated us into a cranberry bog in Canada doing that!)

So, while we are pulling out the last of our hair, and wondering if botox for all our worry wrinkles are covered under our insurance, the hard working crew at the site has been plowing ahead. They are still pulling miles and miles and miles and miles of cable for all our data needs. Painting is going on in the older part of the building, with the newer section slated to start soon.

Cabinet installation is still happening, and we are all excited to see that our staff areas are really taking shape. In the very near future we hope to have the final pour of the stained concrete floor in the entry way. In the new Library Program Room, the huge wide-screen movie screen is installed -- soon to host many family film and foreign film nights.

On the outside of the building, the really cool metal panels are going up. They are made up of recycled materials, and are tongue and grooved to go together very quickly. I wasn't sure about them at first, all I could envision was the glare off of really shiny metal, but they are finished with a matte finish, and look very nice.

Keep an eye out for more information as we get closer to moving back home. We are planning a blowout celebration in (hopefully) early August that will include tons of local performers. We are also working on several really cool programs to present when we get back into our home.

On a personal note --- I would like to congratulate my co-worker and my friend, Lisa Adams, for being the recipient of the 2009 WALE employee of the year. WALE stands for Washington Association of Library Employees, and is an interest group of the Washington Library Association. The WALE employee of the year must demonstrate outstanding service in their field, and significantly contribute to the betterment of the library. Lisa has done this for many years with her innovative programs like the library sleepovers, family film nights, craft shows, ladies night at the library, and so much more. She is always up for any idea, no matter how crazy, and always manages to make us laugh. She's funny, big hearted and as my grandfather would have said "good folk". Congratulations Lisa, you deserve this!

Theresa

Stairway to heaven...

2009-03-12T09:55:00.001-07:00

(and yes, I am totally taking the cheap shot with this post's title!)

We have a staircase! Yesterday we walked into the building and the first thing we saw was the new staircase going up to the second floor. I believe the squeals of excitement could be heard from miles away. Then we looked up.

Oh my gosh! We have ceiling going in! The ceiling panels in the two story entrance are beginning to go in as well. They are so beautiful. Some of us had a hard time envisioning a wood ceiling. Was it going to diminish the spacious feeling in the entry way? Would it be too dark? I'm happy to say that it does none of those things, just enhances the beauty that is already there.

In the building proper, most of the drywall is finished. There are still some guys walking around with the stilts, but most of that is done now. Painting is continuing, as is installation of the staff cupboards.

Over in the server room (just saying that sends chills down my spine - the good kind of chills) wire is looped and ready to be attached to our new servers. It's quite a sight to see, and makes one positively giddy. We are also looking forward to using brand new cables and wires to hook up our new computers and servers (R.I.P. the JLET cable company).

Hopefully this cold snap will break soon, so we can start the landscaping of the building. But even with the cold weather, soon you should start to see the final components of the outside facade in place. The metal panels are here and waiting to be installed, and the glass curtain wall in the front of the building will be taking shape very soon.

Thank you to all of our awesome contractors and sub-contractors. Dudes -- you totally rock!

Theresa

Cabinets and cupboards...

2009-03-05T08:14:00.000-08:00

Another week has gone past, and there are promising signs that one day we might be moving in. The cupboards and cabinets for the back area (technically known and the "Acquisitions Services Area") have arrived and are mostly installed. While I'm not usually a fan of light gold wood, I have to say that they look very nice, and the light color added to the natural light makes for a very bright and airy feeling.

The parking lot looks like a parking lot and not a cow pasture, so that is a big improvement for us. It also looks much bigger than it was, and should provide ample parking for all our needs.

I have to say I just LOVE the fireplace. I don't know what the surround will look like, but the long low sleek profile of the brushed metal and glass appeals to me on so many levels. I have a feeling that staff will spend a lot of time sitting upstairs in that cozy little nook. As always, the view from above never fails to amaze and inspire.

If the weather cooperates, soon you should see the last of the materials going onto the outside of the building. We are waiting on the metal panels that will compliment the glass and composite concrete that is already out there. The other exciting installation will the be the glass curtain wall that composes the front of the building. I believe that some of those glass sections will be able to be opened, so that in nice weather we will be able to provide a lovely indoor/outdoor space for you to enjoy. It also means that we will be able to get even BIGGER cars inside the building to help celebrate Cool Desert Nights!

It always amazes me that our awesome crew can build such a cool building by deciphering those big pieces of paper with lots of black marks on it. I just don't get how a building can come from those things! I suppose it's a bit like how a musician can get music from notes on a page. There's something similar to the process in fact, both take printed materials that are cold and sterile, and breathe life into them to create something beautiful and inspiring.

Our program room will be a lovely place to hold all our library programs. The glass enclosed space will be bright and sunny for daytime programs, but have the ability to be completely darkened for those movies that everyone loves to watch.

Wiring for data is an ongoing process. We specifically designed the building to be able to meet all our data needs for many years to come. It all looks like spaghetti to me right now, but those skinny little wires will bring the world to our patrons in the form of computers, Internet, and materials you can download yourselves.

In the coming months as we get closer to moving back, be on the watch for information about the Opening Day festivities that we are planning. In the works are some formal dedication activities, some children's and adult programs, and hopefully a blow-out party including local musicians to celebrate our return home. Trust me, we can't WAIT to move back!

Theresa

We have asphalt!

2009-02-26T14:29:00.000-08:00

Whoops! Sorry we let last week go by without a post! Things are moving so fast right now that it's all we can do to stop and take a breath. The building is really taking shape on the inside. For so long, it was just the bare bones of a library, all steel girders and basic building blocks. Now, with drywall almost all completed and paint going on the walls, it's so easy to see what will be.

The grand entrance, with the two story high windows and open feeling will take your breath away, it is so beautiful. The art wall has been restored to almost new conditions, and glows like a beautiful jewel in it's new setting. The fireplace upstairs is also framed in. I am so excited by the prospect of curling up in front of the fireplace with a new book.

Something that excites us to no end is the installation of the server racks in the new server room. In the old library, our server room was a converted office where the servers were on tables that we "borrowed" from other areas of the library, and one little server holder that sat on the floor. Whenever we needed to make changes, it required one person on their back on the floor, with their arms in a very uncomfortable position, one person kneeling on the table above them working with the cable, and one person trying to decipher which cable went to what computer!

We also, finally, have asphalt being poured for the parking lot! They did the first lift of that yesterday, and will continue to work on it for awhile. That's a huge jump forward in our time schedule, and gives us hope that one day we will be back home where we belong.

The bottom of the public stairwell has been poured, and the lighted wall is still being worked on. That will definitely be a feature point of the new library, and will hold a surprise for you that we aren't going to tell you about! You'll just have to wait and see.

We are getting tons of questions about when we will be moving back to the new library. We do not have a firm move back date yet -- sometime this summer is the closest we can do right now. The building is on time, but much depends on the installation of shelving, when we can get the furniture in, and some other variables that are out of our control.

Speaking of shelving, Jeanette is hard at work figuring out the best way to facilitate the move of our materials. I do believe, that if you tell her the title of a book, by now she can tell you the exact shelf that it resides on. Her brain works in very mysterious ways!

In the meantime, stop by and see us in this temporary location. We still have the same great people and the same great materials --- and soon we'll have a great building as well!

Theresa

Still a work in progress...

2009-02-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

While the weather outside might be rather dreary, inside the building it's warm and dry and toasty, and work is moving along at a rapid pace.

In the existing building most of the paint is finished, with just a few touch up areas to be done. The ceiling grid installation is beginning, and some of the light fixtures are in place. They are beginning to prep for floor installation, and are figuring on installing the ceramic tile in about two weeks.

In the new building, framing is nearly finished, with just the retail area and the fireplace to be finished. GWB is being hung (whatever that might be!) and painting will start next week. All of the skylights are installed, and boy is there a lot of natural light in the building!

Sidewalk prep has started, and asphalt will be poured once the temperature gets above 40 degrees.

When we were over there yesterday, we noticed one of the feature walls is roughed in. It is a two story wall that the public stairs will be attached to. It features recessed lights and will be both beautiful and functional.

Lisa and I were both remarking how pleased we are with the way the design blends the old and the new building together. The Richland Public Library staff has always felt a high degree of ownership in our building, and we were wondering if we'd still feel the same way with all the changes, but it's so easy to find all the aspects of the old building that we loved still evident in the new building. We are all tremendously excited, and cannot wait until we get to move home!

Theresa

Still progressing..

2009-02-05T09:37:00.000-08:00

I keep hoping that spring is just around the corner, but it looks like we still have a bit more winter weather to get through before winter leaves for good. Oh well, at least the building is progressing forward on schedule.

This week, the existing building has been completely painted on the inside. All the staff offices, study rooms, etc... are almost done. The ceiling grids are being installed and they are beginning to prep for the flooring.

In the new part of the building, there are just a few areas left that need framing. They are starting to hang sheet rock in those sections, and finishing up the electrical. All the sky lights are completed, and the monitor panels are in.

The brick art relief has been cleaned and restored and it looks beautiful! Hopefully they will be able to do the same to the brick that has the 30+ years of embedded chalk dust!

Outside, the prep for the sidewalk pours is being done. No word yet on when the asphalt will be poured, but hopefully it will be soon.

On our last walk through, I was noticing how light the entrance of the building is. When you walk in, even with the plastic covering the window openings, it's very easy to see how open and airy it will be. The perfect place to meet your friends for coffee and grab a quick bite to eat.

While it doesn't look like it, landscaping is being worked on. I believe the replacement trees have been picked out and are being stored somewhere until we can get them planted. No, I don't know what they are or when they will go in, but I'm looking forward to seeing some more green go up around the building.

Over in the temp spot, please come by and visit us. We still have the same great service, and all the same materials, it's just compacted into one very small space!

Stay warm and think Spring Thoughts!

Theresa

Hard at work

2009-01-29T10:34:00.000-08:00

What a difference a week makes...

Last week, what was the beginning stages of sheetrocking the offices has progressed to painting them. More glass has been installed with almost all of the Swift side of the building being glassed in. Yesterday, the windows and glass door in the library director's office were being installed, finishing up the glass work on the bookdrop side of the building.

Speaking of bookdrops, the first one has arrived and has been installed. There will be three slots where you may drive up to building and return your materials. There will also be three more walk up slots for you to return your materials. Like in the temporary location, all returns will be turned into a slot before you enter the library. The returns, sorting onto carts and mending of damaged items will all be done in the back of the library, freeing up valuable space up front where you can check out your items and have your questions answered without being interrupted by staff having to deal with the return of library items.

Upstairs, the framing is completed and as soon as the electrical is finished up and passes code, the sheetrock will begin going up there as well. It was a beautiful view with the sun shining in through the windows and the treetops rustling. I can't wait to kick back in a cozy chair by the fireplace and read a good book while sipping my sugar free hazelnut mocha!

In the temporary location, life continues as usual with storytimes, other children's programming, teen activities and of course lots of reading. You may have noticed there are not stacks and stacks of IRS forms to hand out due to the space limitations, but our "always there for you" reference staff will be happy to help you print them off the IRS website or you can print them from home as well - http://www.irs.gov/

Be sure and drive by once a week or so and watch the progress.

One more closer to spring and one day closer to moving "home".

Lisa

Smooth as glass...

2009-01-22T15:30:00.000-08:00

Even though the weather has been quite gloomy, things are a bit brighter over on the construction site. Lisa and I were over there on Wednesday taking pictures, and it certainly looks like they are getting things done.

In the old building taping is almost complete. After that, they will start painting the walls. What color will they be? Your guess is as good as ours! We haven't seen the paint colors yet, but since our color scheme is supposed to follow the beautiful colors of the landscape, it should be peaceful and soothing (we hope!). The ceiling grid support wires are being installed as well. All the downstairs offices are ready for painting, and it's a bit surreal looking at the unfinished spaces, and imagining ourselves working over there. After a year and a half spent with nine of us crowded into one very small room, it will feel like we are working in a palace.

In the new part of the building, framing is almost completed. The insulation, however, is finished and we are looking forward to inhabiting a building with good insulation. We have discovered that it is nigh to impossible to type accurately wearing bulky gloves! The electrical and HVAC systems are almost done, and while that's been a bit of a bugger for us, now it is completed and ready to rock. Also this week, the plumbing is being tested. Let me tell you, we consider plumbing extremely important. If I never have to plunge another public restroom it will be entirely too soon! (TMI you think?)

The other bit of news is that the asphalt subcontractor was on site this week doing some cleanup work. The first asphalt pour will follow once the sub grade is dry.

Over here in the temp space, we are getting more and more questions about the new building. When will it be done? What are you doing with all the stuff over here? Are you getting all new material? To answer the most important first, we don't exactly know WHEN we can move in, but we are speculating that it will be sometime this summer. The sooner the better as far as we are concerned, but mid-summer is our best guess. As for the furniture and shelving that we are leaving behind, stay tuned for more info on that. We are not sure what we CAN do with this stuff, but as soon as we know, we will let you know. And no, we are not refinishing this furniture and bringing it back. The chairs will all be new chairs. After 30 plus years with the same furniture, it is time to get some new (clean!) furniture. Trust me -- you will appreciate it! We are not getting rid of our books and DVDs etc... they will all be making the move back to the building. However, we are going to try to have an "Opening Day" collection ready for when we reopen with lots of brand new books and movies and music to choose from. We are all very excited about this, and look forward to reopening with loads of new choices!

Stay warm-

Theresa

Just another brick in the wall...

2009-01-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

The library is definitely beginning to take shape on the inside as well as the outside now. The inside is just about all framed in on all three levels. Sheet rocking is continuing, but the majority of that is done as well.

The windows are being installed on the second floor now as well. Or perhaps it's the third? We're still not sure how to classify the floors. We actually seem to have about two and a half floors in the building! We have the original first floor, the original second floor, and a new third floor. However it's not really a full floor above the second floor. The second floor, which only holds the administrative offices, is just 8 steps lower than the new third floor. So it's not really three full floors, but rather two and a half floors! You'll just have to see it when we re-open. It's actually pretty cool, there is a catwalk type thing that bridges the administrative floor and the third floor reading bower.

We are also beginning to work on some of the fine tuning of the building. In the places in the old building, where we attached bookshelves to the brick, we are working on ways to repair the brick where the old supports were attached. We are also trying to figure out how to get the brick in the old conference room cleaned. Some of you might remember that there was an old chalk board attached to the wall in that room. 30 plus years of chalk dust is not easy to clean off of brick! It's quite interesting all the little things that you never really think of when you start a project, we are all learning new things everyday with this building.

Outside, besides the windows and the pre-cast panels, you should start to see some of the metal panels being installed. The asphalt, unfortunately, will not be poured until later this year. The ground is still too wet to do anything, and the asphalt company is shut down for now, so that is something to look forward to in the spring!

Driving by the building is so exciting to all of us right now. You can really see how beautifully the architects have melded the old and the new into one very beautiful and inspiring building. I am very proud of the steps we have taken to make sure this building is as environmentally friendly as possible, and in later blogs I'll go into more detail about that I promise!

Next time you're driving past the building, just imagine it all completed. Full native landscaping surrounding a beautiful new building that glows with warmth and excitement. A building full of ideas, both old and new. A place you can leaf through an old edition of the Villager or download the newest MP3 book. It will all be available at your new Richland Public Library!

Theresa

New Year.... New Building

2009-01-08T09:50:00.001-08:00

Happy 2009 to all Richland Public Library customers! Lisa & I took 2 weeks off this holiday season due to various vacations and illness, but we're both back now and looking forward to some new blogging!

On our last visit to the site, it was pretty impressive inside. Drywall is just about complete on the first floor offices and study rooms and on the second floor that houses the administrative offices. The third floor, which will be browsing and fiction, is basically one big room, so almost no drywall is needed in there.

The windows are installed on part of the lower floor, and we are awaiting delivery for the third floor windows. The next exciting outside installation will be some metal panels that should be coming in the next few weeks.

We were thisclose to getting the first pour of the asphalt, but then came the snow and that had to be put on the back burner. However, curbing and lighting in the parking lot are completed, and as soon as things dry out we will begin working on the parking lot.

We have survived the deluge and winds in the temporary space with a minimum of leaks and backups, and are excited to think that in about 7 months or so, we will (hopefully!) be back home where we belong!

Huge Huge Huge thanks to Chervenell and all the wonderful, patient, kind, intelligent, and committed people who are working on this project. We know we are in very good hands with you, and appreciate you to no end!

Theresa

It's a New Year and the countdown is on!

2009-01-02T08:51:00.000-08:00

Well, we made it an entire year at the temporary site and nobody has been killed or even maimed - quite an accomplishment since we are quite literally working on top of each other! Now, the countdown is on until we can move back "home". The weather has been nasty and as I was cleaning the snow off my car this morning and wondering "why didn't I take vacation today" it occurred to me that we are two thirds of the way finished with the renovation and expansion project. Yahoo!!

The Chervenell crew, along with Perfection Glass and Apollo, have been working their tails off trying to get the building enclosed. If you have driven past, you will notice that the windows on the main floor are almost completely installed on the Swift side and they are busy starting the install of the windows on the second floor. The new curbing and lighting has been completed in the parking lot and as soon as the weather breaks, the asphalt will be laid.

Inside the building, they are busy finishing up any straggling ductwork and piping. Sheetrock has been hung for of most of the offices and the study rooms, the skylights are also being finished and both elevators are now functioning.

Back at the Lee Blvd location, the library continues to be open even when the schools are closed, Hanford workers are off and the passes are closed! Come in and get your cold-weather reading materials and some movies to watch. Beginning Monday, January 5th, there will be a new checkout time for all videos and most of the DVDs. All new DVDs will still check out for one week, bus the others will now check out for three weeks. Ask at the check out desk for more details.

Happy New Year and only six or seven more months to go before the big move!!

Lisa

Snow, snow, snow,snow...

2008-12-18T12:27:00.000-08:00

Work continues to progress on the building. In the old part of the building they have erected temporary tenting, and have begun to get some heat over there so the drywall taping can begin. The elevator #1 is finished, and elevator #2 is almost there. We will have two elevators in this building. The main one will be out on the floor for our patrons to get to the second story, and the other one is back in the staff area for book carts and supplies to be moved from one floor to another. This will ensure that patrons don't get their feet run over by a shelver moving books up to the second floor. Not that I've ever done that in a different library in oh say Lafayette LA. Nope, not me!

In the new part of the building, the metal roofing is underway. Framing is about 90% complete and the exterior sheathing is being completed.

Outside, the curb and gutter work is scheduled to be completed this week. Topsoil is also being added to the planter areas. The goal was to get paving started tomorrow (Friday), however, due to the snow on the ground, we will just have to wait and see on that one.

The big news (to us) is that the windows on the Swift side of the building are beginning to be installed. They are magnificent, and we can't wait to see what the interior will look like in the spring, with those big beautiful windows flooding the place with light.

Over here in the temp spot, we will be open for most of the holidays. We will close at 5:00 pm on December 23rd, and be closed all day on the 24th and 25th. The following week, we will close at 5:00 pm on December 31st, and be closed all day on January 1st.

Wishing all our patrons a safe holiday time.

Theresa

Oh the Weather outside is frightful...

2008-12-11T14:43:00.000-08:00

Brrrrrr! It's 37 degrees right now, and falling fast, but we've got some major movement on the building this week!

The windows are (slowly) arriving. The five windows in the back of the building are in, as well as a window on the Goethals side of the building. The rest of them are on their way, and installation will continue as the pieces get here.

The remaining openings will be covered in plastic, and Chervenell will begin to heat the inside of the building. That means that they are able to start taping drywall pretty soon.

The plumbing rough-in is nearly completed, and the framing is almost finished as well.

If you've driven down Goethals, you'll notice that the curbing of the parking lot is almost finished. The plan is to do the first pour by the end of this week for the parking lot, and have it completely finished before the end of the year.

In the building itself, the first of the two elevators (called, imaginatively enough, elevator #1) is finished.

Over here in the temp building, there is a children's program this afternoon, and on December 19th beginning at noon, we will be having our annual holiday movie marathon. Because the space is limited here, we are partnering with the Community Center to show the movies. For more information, please call the Library at 509-942-7454.

Theresa

Here comes the sun...

2008-12-04T12:25:00.000-08:00

After several days of drippy weather, we finally have a nice day today! So, hopefully, the crew will be able to make great strides in getting the parking lot paved. They are planning to lay down the asphalt in two layers. The first one will go down directly over the dirt, and they will let it cure fully before they pour the second layer. Not everyone will pour their asphalt in two layers, but our crew has determined that doing it this way will provide for a longer lasting parking lot and a much smoother one as well.

Curbing is almost completed on site, and you will also see that the new parking lot lights are in place. It's amazing to me how many people it takes to build a building, and the many different skill sets they all have. For the parking lot alone, it will take four different crews. One to do the curbing, one to pour the asphalt, one to get the lights functional, and one to do the final striping of the lot.

Sometime soon, you should see a tent go up in front of the building. They will be working on another slab pour, and will use the tent to keep the area warmer. Windows should also go in sometime soon. They are putting the frames in place, and we hope to have glass in them shortly.

Our beautiful, intelligent, and oh so stylish library manager (can you tell it's evaluation time?) has been working hard on finalizing the bid packet for the furnishings. Shelving is (I believe) done, and we hope that soon all our various packets will be finished and off to wherever packets go to be approved.

People keep asking us when we will be moving back. We still don't have a firm date on that, but are hoping to move sometime in summer 2009. In the meantime, please join us at the temporary location. We are still hard at work bringing you new books, DVDs, music Cd's, and as many programs as we can in our little shop.

Theresa

Polar Ice Caps or New Library?

2008-11-25T12:13:00.000-08:00

With the white roofing materials, the blue tarps and the foggy background, the new and improved Richland Public Library resembles a polar ice field these days. In these pictures, it looks like a great place to ice skate! You can see how the clerestory windows will look and the upstairs reading area. The cold and blurry days have not slowed down our construction crew who have been hard at work finishing up the roofing and working on sheetrocking and insulating some of the office areas inside - they are beginning to look like offices now instead of jail cells.

The team, along with library staff will be taking a couple of extra days off this week to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends. A reminder to library patrons - the library will be closed Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, but will re-open Saturday morning at 9:30 if you are in need of a book.

Happy Thanksgiving to all and just think - next year we will have a brand new library to be thankful for! A note for the little ones in your family - Santa will make an appearance on Wednesday, December 3rd from 4:00-5:00 p.m. You may get a picture taken with Santa for a canned food donation or $2 per photo.

Lisa

Winter Blues

2008-11-20T15:41:00.000-08:00

It certainly is looking like winter now. Grey skies, drippy rain, and winter chills. Fortunately, the weather will not stop the few, the proud, the Construction dudes and dudettes of the Richland Public Library!

Things are slowly beginning to take shape. In the existing building some of the windows are starting to be installed. Blocking and backing is still going on, and drywall will being once the in-wall work is complete.

On the new addition, the metal framing is almost all done and the roofing is still ongoing, weather permitting.

On the site itself, they are working hard to get the ground graded and compacted, but the overall nasty weather has caused some issues with getting the grounds ready for paving.

We are still in business over at 1270 Lee Blvd. Today, the tinkling voices of little children could be heard over in the story circle during the library's Thanksgiving program. We still have Gunner and Phoebe who come in during the week for kids to read to them. Story times, computer use, wonderful new books to read... all of this is still available in the temp location. If you're in town, drop by and say hi to the front desk staff. We love to hear from our patrons!

Theresa

Rain rain go away...

2008-11-13T15:09:00.000-08:00

The rain is putting quite a damper on progress at the building site. Our crews have been unable to get the ground prepared for paving the new parking lot. Right now, they have to wait until the ground dries out before they can continue grading and compacting the area. We still think the lot will be poured before winter sets in, but it won't be as soon as we hoped.

However, that does not mean our people have been sitting on their hands doing nothing. Au contraire mes amis! The crew has been hard at work completing the preliminary framing of the second story, roofing the new addition, installing the insulation (try saying that five times fast!), and, not unlike our neighborhood squirrels, storing many supplies inside the building to work on during the cold winter months. (not that we think our crew is squireley in any way!) The once exterior art wall has been unveiled again, and is now a feature wall on the interior of the building in the lobby.

Our library staff is also hard at work finalizing the furniture bid packet, and argu... er I mean discussing the different options for our personal work spaces. Let me let you in on a little secret. Librarians, while an altogether wonderful, intelligent and quite fashionable (well, some of us are) crowd are apt to be a wee bit er.. stubborn, when it comes to getting things done THEIR way. Which, of course, is the RIGHT way, but still, I'm just saying.

We are still awaiting the arrival of our windows. They have partially come in, and soon (hopefully) we will have those installed as well. Our crew on site are doing their best to make this a beautiful and very functional building, and we can't thank them enough for all they have done for us. Cookies for everyone!

Theresa

Same old same old...

2008-11-06T16:18:00.001-08:00

Well, there is nothing really I can update you on this week. The building is progressing, the windows are still being waited on, the framing and roofing continues, and the parking lot is still being worked on.

And, since I am off the clock in about 30 minutes, I will close this blog entry with bunches of neato pictures you can ooh and aah over!

PS --- we're still a happening joint in the temp space. We have bunches of programs coming up, and on Wednesday mornings, if you are a person of more advanced age, you might want to drop by and try out the library Wii. Staff will be happy to play a gam... er demonstrate the wonders of the Wii generation!

Theresa

PPS - dig the blue cast to the pictures -- we're not sure why they turned out blue, but it's quite a nice little artistic touch!

No Tricks all Treats...

2008-10-31T10:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween to all!

Over at the construction site they are plugging away at enclosing the building. Right now, we are waiting on the delivery of the windows. Once those get in, they can put up the final panels and the building will be ready for winter. They are also still working on grading and finishing the parking lot before winter sets in. (Judging by today's weather, they don't have much more time left!)

The inside of the building is getting pretty full right now with all the supplies and equipment they are stockpiling for winter. It's pretty exciting to think that we are about 9 months (we hope) out from moving back. We've been in this spot for almost a year now, and are beginning to feel like we've been on a long journey. We've had fun and it's been exciting to be in a different place, but home is where our heart is, and we can't wait to move back there.

A big thanks to everyone who has been so gracious about the construction. Our library has been on the same spot for 30 plus years, and we've seen that spot grow from a quiet out of the way location to a very busy center of the town with many different medical and school buildings that we've watched grow up around us. It's quite exciting to be in such an exciting part of town!

Remember, we are still hard at work over in this location (1270 Lee Blvd.) On Saturday (tomorrow!) we will have a workshop on creating a story for children. On the 4th of November, the kids will have their own election and get to vote for their favorite Washington Children's Choice Picture Book award title. November is Native American Heritage Month, and on the 6th we will have a local storyteller sharing Native American stories and artifacts at 7:00pm. So much to do in this small building -- just wait until we have our own space again!

Theresa

We're positively ELECTRIC...

2008-10-23T15:06:00.000-07:00

When you're in the dark and you want to see,
You need uh... Electricity, Electricity
Flip that switch and what do you get?
You get uh... Electricity, Electricity
Every room can now be lit
With just uh... Electricity, Electricity... *

Yes, the power to the building has been restored! The low-voltage rough-in should be complete this week, and some miscellaneous mechanical rough-in is still going on. The furring for the windows and doors has begun, and we should being to install the insulation next week.

Ongoing projects include roofing on the new part of the building, exterior and interior framing, and MEP rough-ins.

The storm, sewer and water lines have all been installed, and grading is underway, and will continue for the next two weeks. Light pole installation should begin next week. The goal is to have the building completely enclosed before the rough weather starts. They are also trying to get the parking lot paved before the paving companies close down for the winter.

Back at the temp spot, we have an awesome Halloween program coming up next Wednesday the 29th, and plans are underway to hold the Holiday Movie Marathon on December 19th. Check out our newsletter for more details, and remember to leave us a comment on the blog!

Theresa

*thanks to School House Rock for the lyrics at the beginning of this post!

Yes, they really are working...

2008-10-10T14:53:00.000-07:00

Several times over the last weeks, I've had patrons ask if the work is still progressing on the building. Rest assured, our construction crew is working very hard. Most of the work right now is taking place inside the building, but soon you should start to see some more improvements to the outside. The crew is very anxious to get the parking lot poured before the winter weather sets in, and they are also awaiting any day now the arrival of the windows.

Work on the roof at the southeast corner of the building is going on, as well as preliminary work on the canopy for the walk up book drop, and sheathings for the automobile book drop. Wall framing is about 95% completed, and as soon as the windows are installed, they will begin to work more on the interiors. The roof panel installation for the new addition is just about complete, and the concrete panels are all in place, as well as all the parapet wall framing.

What many people don't understand is that this remodel was a complete tear-down on all aspects of the building. We have completely redone the sewer system for the building and also the storm drain system. While it may not be very exciting for patrons to see, trust me, when you don't have to deal with the pond in the middle of the parking lot, or attempt to find a bathroom that is not out of order, you will be very grateful for the time taken to improve these things!

In the temporary building, staff is continuing to work on the move back, and also looking at furniture for our individual work stations. It's quite a daunting task, but staff is handling it with their usual grace and aplomb.

Theresa

Playing in the dirt

2008-10-02T14:59:00.000-07:00

There's lots of dirt and debris on the building site right now, partly due to our glorious fall weather and partly due to the excavation for the storm sewer system. That particular project includes revamping the Library site's system as well as the pipes that connect out to the street. The site is full of new materials, pipes for the sewer as well as huge mounds of roof insulation waiting for the crane to lift them up to the roof to be installed. The parking lot is completely gone now, and much thanks to CBC for allowing our construction crew to park on their lot.

You may have noticed that the precast concrete panels were being installed last week. They are all in place now, and will stay in their plastic wrapping to protect them during construction. The really big excitement (to me, at least!) is that the windows are scheduled to arrive within the next two weeks. Once they are installed, our building will really begin to look fully formed. After they are installed, the interior sheet rock work will begin. The concrete floor, both old and the new slabs, have been filled and smoothed out. Interior steel stairs have been installed, and much of the duct work and the rough plumbing is finished. Work continues to be done on the sprinkler system and the low voltage systems.

Back in the temporary space, we are still providing quality programs for our patrons. In October alone we have a visit from the Puddle Ducks Herb Farm, a celebration of Diwali, the Festival of Lights, a Halloween After School Program, and a visit from Clifford the Big Red dog! So come by and see us -- and be sure to leave us a comment on the blog!

Theresa

They really are working fast!

2008-09-26T11:56:00.000-07:00

If you have driven past the site lately, you might have noticed that some of the precast panels have been put in place. Work is also continuing on the roof, more framing of the interior, and all sorts of other things that can't be seen by just driving by, but rest assured, our crew is working really hard to finish up. Some of you are getting a bit antsy, and wondering why things are taking so long. Let me tell you, this crew is actually getting things done in record time. Since we are doing both a remodel and an expansion, the process is actually longer than if we had started completely from scratch on a new site. But our crew is determined to finish this thing on time and on budget, and we thank them greatly for their efforts!

September marks the ninth month that we have been in our temporary location, and the staff of the Richland Public Library would like to extend a huge thank you to all of our customers who have put up with plumbing problems, Internet hiccups, and assorted cranky behaviors from the staff. Take comfort in knowing that this time next year we will (hopefully) be back home in a great new space. Personally, I can't wait to spend my lunch hour curled up in the browsing area by the fire, sipping on that triple skinny hot latte, reading the latest Stabenow or Reichs novel. and watching the leaves turn gold and red from my perch up high in the tree tops.

Keep thinking good thoughts, and stop by and see us in our temporary

location (1270 Lee Blvd) THERESA

If you feed, them they will work faster!

2008-09-19T09:19:00.000-07:00

The library staff has been working under the premise that we can bribe the construction crew into speeding things along by feeding them. Each week, we send cookies or some other tasty treat with our manager when she goes to the weekly construction team meeting. Last week we decided to spice things up a bit and go "hog" wild - literally! We cooked up a huge batch of pulled pork, sloppy joes and assorted side dishes and desserts. The staff joined the construction crew for lunch on Friday and got to chat with the people who are building your library. After lunch, library staff donned hard hats and had a tour of what is happening on site. This was extremely fun for us and hopefully this will keep the fantastic crew going at their continued great pace for a little longer!

This week, they have been busy roofing the high areas, then they will move on to the lower areas and after that, onto the new area. Inside, the low voltage has been roughed in and outside, you may have noticed bulldozers and dump trucks clearing off the old asphalt and some of the landscaping that will be replaced with a brand new parking lot and low maintenance, low water landscaping.

Other work happening this week inludes: stairs, handrails and other steel, framing for the monitors, the store front glass has been ordered, and when I came back to work last night, I was so excited to see the crane lifting the pre-cast panels into place on the Swift side of the building.

- - Lisa

Still moving forward...

2008-09-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

Have you driven by the library site lately? Perhaps you've noticed the roof being placed on the second story? Or the work on the grounds? Things are moving along very nicely, and we are still on target for a move back date of sometime next summer. Bid packages for the coffee vendor, furniture, and signage are chugging along, and next month the staff moving committee will begin to meet so that we can plan the move back home. This move should be much easier, since we will (I believe) only be moving back our material, not the furniture or computers.

While we are in this temporary space, staff is experimenting with a few ideas. We have started to create a biography section, rather than interfile the biographies with the non-fiction. We are looking at new ways to store our DVDs, and working on new databases to acquire for our patrons. We are looking at this building as a sort of testing ground, where we can try out some of the ideas we have been wanting to try. So if you are in the building, and you notice something new or unusual, just let us know what you think about it. We are always looking for ways to better serve our members.

Remember, we are also attempting to keep up our programing while in this building. Our stellar Children's Department, led by the lovely Miss Kelly, has something for everyone to enjoy. Visits from Clifford the Big Red Dog, a celebration of the Diwali festival, and you can always come by and spend some time reading to Gunner or Phoebe in our Therapy Dog Reading Program. Just stop by the Children's Desk or check out the library newsletter.

Theresa

And the beat goes on...

2008-08-28T15:06:00.000-07:00

I had the privilege of attending the last construction team meeting this week. Building a library involves so many people, it's hard to keep the players straight! Every Wednesday morning, the building team meets on site. The attendees are variable, with different people meeting when different situations arise. It's a really good way for the City of Richland, the Richland Public Library, and everyone else involved to keep up with the many & different challenges that crop up when you are working with a 30 year old building.

As for the building itself, they are really moving along now. Framing and drywalling in the old building will start soon, as well as prep work for the floors. Roofing is also continuing. The roofing is a pretty labor intensive job, the panels are extremely heavy, and even with the crane they can only hoist about 4 of the 30ft panels at a time. Windows are beginning to be framed in as well. The new stairs are looking good, as well as the new drive-up book drop.

You should start to see some real progress on the grounds as well. Soon they will start some more dirt moving, and begin tearing out the old concrete walkways and pouring new ones.

For our animal lovers, you will be happy to know that the library hawk has been spotted on the grounds. The squirrels are still there, and we hope the ducks come back next spring. The skunks have not been seen (or smelled) so we will see if they show up next spring as well. For any of the many patrons that were dive bombed by the nesting crows every year, they have not been spotted, but I'm sure they will be back when we reopen.

While we were there, Lisa & I took photos of our own. It's amazing how interesting everyday objects look when taken from a different perspective!

Theresa

PS -- in response to the comment about aerial views of the construction site, we will hopefully have some for you next week, but we are relying on others to help us with that one -- the cost of taking those pictures is pretty steep, and while it was suggested that someone be hoisted up by the crane to take the pictures, she declined that invite, so we will continue to look for other ways to fulfill that wish!

LEEDing the way...

2008-08-21T15:26:00.000-07:00

Besides being absolutely committed to providing the best service we possibly can to our customers, the City of Richland and the Richland Public Library are also committed to making sure we leave as small a carbon footprint as we can. To that end, while we are not an official LEED project, we are striving to use the LEED principles in everything we build. One of the decisions we made was to salvage as much of the old brick as possible, for use in the places that need to be filled in, or in the places we need to connect the old building with the new building. Recently, the brick was used on the exterior of the building, on the Goethals side, to integrate the old part of the building with the new shear wall. The shear wall is the part of the building that gives both stability and flexibility for seismic regulations.

In order to integrate the two walls, every other brick was cut in half, creating a sort of stair step effect. The salvaged bricks were then set, at half places, to create a smooth look and a sturdy structure. Salvaging the bricks was a very time consuming process, involving removing the bricks intact and cleaning off the dirt and old mortar. The task was quite time consuming, but in the end, we hope that our efforts will pay off in a building that seamlessly integrates the old and the new, while providing for a better future for all.

Theresa

Second floor... fiction, magazines and so much more

2008-08-14T15:08:00.000-07:00

If you've driven past the construction site in the last few days, you might have noticed lots of people working on the new addition's second story. (a bit of library humor there) The reinforcements for the floor have been put in, and the slab has been poured. They are also beginning to do some prep work for the roof.

Framing in the old part of the first floor is moving along quite rapidly. They have framed out the staff offices on that floor, as well as working on the four new study rooms that will be available to students. It is also easy to see now where the coffee shop will be, and where the new Friends of the Library will be located.

Having learned our lesson in this temp location (ask us someday about "Fire Walking") we are making sure that the fire alarm system will be installed properly, and to that end, the sprinkler piping is being shop fabricated. The HVAC work is continuing, with the old duct work being removed and the new duct work installed.

All of the major steel work is finished, but some of the miscellaneous perimeter steel work still needs to be done, and they should start that next week.

Lisa & I have been to the job site several times now to take pictures for this blog, and every time we go there it is absolutely thrilling for us to see how dedicated and committed our construction people are to creating a quality building. Last time we were there, I could really see where everything will go. The shaft of sunlight beaming down on the spot where Kelly will hold her wonderful story times. I could hear the hiss of the espresso machine making that 20 oz triple non-fat latte (hot, no flavor) to give me a boost in the afternoon. The cozy nook on the second floor that will be a perfect place to curl up and spend the afternoon reading your favorite classic (or edgy thriller, or hot romance, or whatever else catches your fancy). We really hope that when this building is finished, there will be something for all Richland residents to find and enjoy.

Theresa

Bed of nails?

2008-08-08T11:06:00.000-07:00

If you have driven by this week, you have probably seen sparks flying. There has been a lot of welding going on - there is a LOT of steel in the building because of the weight of the books. This week has been a busy week for the workers, but you can't see a lot from the street. Several library staff and project team members were treated to a tour on Friday, August 8th. It is exciting to see all of the activity. Some cool pictures to show you - most of the steel flooring for the second floor has been installed and now the rebar supports are being put in before the concrete pour. The rebar sticking up looks somewhat torturous, like a bed of nails! There is also a cool view of the elevator shaft with the sky above, and the impending storm.

Flying the Steel...

2008-07-31T13:30:00.001-07:00

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

Taking shape

2008-07-24T10:19:00.001-07:00

This week, you can really start to see what the new library will look like. The steel beam construction continues and you can see the outline of the roof window feature. The roof line was designed to reflect the rolling hills of the sage steppe area. We were so excited to see this development that we couldn't wait to actually get on site to take pictures so we shot some through the chain link fence! So to all the Chervenell guys who are wondering who the crazy women were peering through the fence and snapping photos, it was just your fans from the library!

These steel beams are manufactured in La Grande, Oregon and the construction management team ordered them far in advance, so the continued steel price rise is luckily not affecting this job.

Also happening this week - the walker ducts are being finished so the rest of the slab can be poured over them. The walker ducts are what house all of the fiber optic cables and other assorted wiring needed to make a more functional library where the breakers won't blow every time someone prints!

The big push right now is to finish as much in the existing portion of the library so they can focus on the new addition.

It's all about the steel...

2008-07-17T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well, if you've driven past the construction site, perhaps you've noticed that things are really beginning to look up! The concrete slabs for the new addition have all been poured, and they are beginning to erect the steel beams for the new portion of the library. This is a really exciting time for those of us with spatial problems. I knew the library was going to grow in size, but until I saw those beams go up, I couldn't get a feel for just how big the building will be. Now I can really see that we will have lots of space to grow into for the next 30 or so years!

We are also working on several bids for the building. The furniture ( both staff offices and the public tables, chairs, etc...) will be ready to bid soon, as well as the shelving needed. We are also getting the proposal for the coffee bar ready to go out - staff is looking forward to that portion of the building very much.

There is so much that goes into the building of a public library, I am constantly amazed that everyone involved manages to keep their sense of humor and their sanity. We need to make sure we build this library strong enough to carry the weight of all those bookshelves on the second floor. We want to make sure the lighting will be done properly so patrons can read the spine labels. We want to find a balance between really comfortable furniture and furniture that is easily cleaned. (Trust me on this one) We want to build a building that Richland can point to with pride and say "That's OUR Library". We are working so hard to make sure that you get all of this and hopefully more. We have a rockin' construction crew, a dedicated building committee, and staff that is ready and eager to do whatever it takes to bring this project in on time and on budget.

However, while all this is going on, let me just remind everyone that we are still open, and committed to providing the very best service we can, and to bring all our wonderful programs to our customers.

The Summer Reading Program is going great guns, and kids everywhere can be found playing with their glow-in-the-dark slime and wearing some really cool shades. The teens are having loads of fun with the weekly Runescape parties we host on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and look for information on the Community Lecture Series coming in the fall.

If you happen to walk past the construction site, please give a friendly wave to the guys and gals working there. We really appreciate all that they do for us.

Will Snickerdoodles Speed Things Up?

2008-07-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

Not a whole lot of new stuff to report this week. The construction crew took a much needed break last week to celebrate the Fourth of July while the cement for the new addition took the time to "cure". The hot summer Richland days threatened to cure the concrete too fast, but the very knowledgeable concrete guys spent days cooling off the fresh pour with blankets and water. Now, you can see where the addition of the library will be.

Steel beams have started to arrive on site and will begin being erected over the next few days. Once that happens people passing by will be able to see actual building progress.

Staff has heard a rumor that a certain construction manager (Rich) likes snickerdoodles. Next week's cookie delivery will definitely have some snickerdoodles in it if it will help speed up production! Library staff continues to hear nearly every day from people who ask us "why did you move into this place?" or comments like "this is only the temporary location, right?" We have been assuring them, that YES - this is only a TEMPORARY space and we hope to move back HOME by next summer. So if snickerdoodles will help keep us honest, we are glad to bake them! Any other special cookie requests guys and gals?

Heat Won't Slow Us Down!

2008-07-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

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)

Visiting the site...

2008-06-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Last week, your local library bloggers had the pleasure of going to the construction site - we even had to wear hard hats! Although it was great fun to see the bustle of activity and exciting to know that things are progressing relatively smoothly, it was also a little sad to see something that has been part of the community for so long torn up. It was kind of like visiting a friend in the hospital after cosmetic surgery - they don't look very good now, but in the end they will be more beautiful!

The grade beams are now complete, the elevator towers are complete and concrete is starting to be poured in some areas - someone even had the audacity to carve our initials in the wet cement!

This week we are focusing on some of the people who are bringing your new Richland Public Library back to life. The men and women working on-site every day are our heroes (at least if they finish on time) and we would like to thank them for all their hard work.

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

2008-05-29T12:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-23T14:42:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-05-15T15:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-13T15:08:00.000-07:00

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.

The Greening of RPL...

2008-04-24T15:25:00.000-07:00

Where can you go to pick up the latest bestseller, that little art film your neighbor told you about and the newest release from Panic at the Disco? The library, of course! But our new building will not only be a place to get all this and more, but it will be a space that is helping to save our world! The new Richland Public Library is designed to meet the LEED Silver requirements. LEED is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ which encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. (and yes, I stole that right from the website!)

We are also committed to recycling as much as we can from the old building. The trees that were removed from the site were transferred to the landfill. The trunks and large limbs are being milled for as-yet-undetermined-uses. The small limbs will be made available for Richland residents to take as fire wood and the very small pieces will be chipped for compost. (And don’t worry – there is a plan in place to re-populate the site with new trees. Big trees, not saplings!)

Much of the work of construction involves sharing of resources and re-use of materials. For example, one firm will not own all of the equipment that is needed but will rent it from a rental firm or from another construction firm. The equipment is not only very large, but specialized and it makes more sense to have it available only when it is needed.

During the construction of the elevator towers, the framing pieces are ones that have been used to build other elevators in the past and will be used again for future elevators at other sites.

Over 6000 bricks from the old building were removed and cleaned of old mortar, by hand, to be reused on the new construction so that the exterior look will be consistent.

So, just remember, not only is Richland Public an ultra cool space to hang out in, but we’re saving the environment one brick at a time!

Pop! Six! Squish! Uh Uh! Cicero! Lipschitz!

Cell Block Tango anyone?

Actually, this is part of the new framing in the older part of the library. It's just a coincidence that it looks like a jail cell. Really.

Brings back memories of my Tonka Truck days!

Things are moving along now...

2008-04-17T16:16:00.000-07:00

This week's update is being done from the road - we are at a joint Washington/Oregon Library Association Conference in Vancouver. We are learning lots of interesting things to bring back with us. Fletcher, Farr, Ayotte (the RPL architects) are one of the conference sponsors, so we had a chance to chat with Troy, one of the architects working on the new library today. He tells us things are progressing nicely and we took the opportunity to point out some cool stuff we'd like to see in the new library! So, we'll get back to the conference and leave you with a breakdown of what's happening on the building.

Lisa & Theresa

Now, here's what the boss told us to say!

We have concluded the demolition phase of the expansion/renovation and are moving into real construction. The deep plumbing is complete (the branch lines will be added later) and the duct work in the “old” part of the building has been replaced. Inside, the framing of interior walls in that portion of the building has begun. The piles for the upright support structures are complete as well. The most exciting part right now is to watch the elevator tower forms go higher and higher. The first lift for the towers will be poured the week of April 21. Soon, too, the scaffolding that will surround the new construction will be growing to 32 feet.
The project is going well and we are on time and on budget. Our squirrels have temporarily abandoned the site as well as our mallards but we have every confidence that they will return when some of the noise and dust abates.

Please drive by the site. We are about to start the time when there will be visible change every day. We continue to receive great support from the other city departments that approve and inspect and maintain city properties. We also feel fortunate to be working with Chervenell Construction. They are real partners in our mission to build an excellent Library and to do it in a financially responsible manner.

We want to hear from you!

2008-04-10T12:28:00.000-07:00

The contractors continue to work on both elevators this week and have started working on the stairs. Rebar cages are being built and concrete is being poured. More plumbing is also being installed.

Now, we want to hear from you - every day people tell us they are looking at the blog. We would like to hear your comments. Tell us what you think about the construction, if you like the blog or even a favorite memory you have of the library.

If you are one of the people working at the library site, we would LOVE to hear from you - give us the bird's eye view of how you see the work progressing.

Moving on up...

2008-04-02T11:42:00.000-07:00

"Digging the new elevator shaft"

... or we will be in the new building! The existing elevator is being brought up to current standards and the awesome construction people have begun excavation on the new elevator. With the design of the new building, the old elevator will be mostly for staff use to get book carts up to the second floor, deliver supplies up to the office, and of course, for staff to use so we can raid the upstairs candy jar!

The new elevator will be for patrons to use so they can get to the second floor. Currently the second floor is slated to hold the browsing area, magazine collection, fiction collection, and a few other collections, but that could all change depending on what fits best where. Just know that the staff is hard at work making sure that this new library will be the best library we can create! Thanks to all our wonderful patrons for their patience and enthusiasm in this endeavor -- we have the best patrons ever!

The current elevator shaft under construction

Another view of the old elevator

Excavating the new elevator. The brick relief wall is in the background, carefully under protection until the rest of the building is built up around it.

It's not just demo anymore!

2008-03-26T08:38:00.000-07:00

For several weeks now, if you drove by the library, all you saw was destruction. Now, the demolition stage is nearly finished and the renovation stage is beginning. Crews have dug trenches for new electrical and low voltage cabling. The plumbing for the public restrooms has been installed and the HVAC system is underway. You can even see the foundation being dug for the addition and where the elevator will be. If you haven't driven by, be sure and do so - it is amazing to watch the progress.

Library staff continue to furnish loads of sugary treats to the workers each week in hopes that we will be able to move back in before next year's summer reading program starts! In the meantime, stop by 1270 Lee Blvd and check out the temporary location where there are plenty of books to keep you busy.

If you are watching the progression of the library building, send us your comments! We want to hear from you. What are your favorite things and activities at the library and what do you want to see continued in the new space? Do you have a favorite memory of either the library on Northgate or the library that was located behind City Hall? We'd love to hear from you.

Make Way for Ducklings!

2008-03-19T11:42:00.000-07:00

The mallards that have frequented the library grounds for years do not seem to be afraid of a little construction. There are puddles to splash in and acorns to nibble on. At least four pair of mallards have been hanging out keeping the workers on track! Being springtime now, there could be ducklings hanging out soon as well.

Salvaging the bricks

2008-03-12T08:50:00.001-07:00

Approximately 6,000 bricks have been salvaged so far from the partial demolition of the library. Chervenell Construction Company estimates they will use about 5,000 of those bricks to fill in gaps on walls and to replace damaged bricks.

By reusing these bricks, not only will they match, but it also cuts down on the cost of buying new. Reduce - Reuse - Recycle!

2008-03-05T09:00:00.000-08:00

An official word from our Library Director:

"Please be sure to view the photos of the milling of the sycamore (or London Plane) trees that were removed from the site. The wood is very beautiful, pinkish, and very wet. We are milling in a way that will accommodate a number of uses but do not yet have a firm plan.

Chervenell is moving quickly on the building. Walls are down, a portion of the roof has been removed, and trenches are being cut into the concrete slab. Digging for the elevator shaft is also in progress. The site is very dirty, very noisy, and very active.

Other activity includes a review of the data and power runs and a fine-tuning of the overall plans for data and telephone, aka low voltage.

Our squirrels have moved on to quieter accommodations but several mallard pair have taken up residence, enjoying especially one of the very large puddles in the parking lot. Spring is on the way."

Thanks Ann!

Saving the Wall

2008-02-29T09:19:00.000-08:00

One of the first things you saw when walking into the library was the brick relief wall. Many people ask what the designs are supposed to represent. In the words of the sculptor, Harold Balazs, "...one of the recurring themes in my work is the juxtapositioning of disparate ideas. So it seemed natural to use such an idea for a library, which is after all, a repository of many ideas." This wall will become a focal point in the newly renovated library and the construction crew is working gingerly around it to make sure it stays safe.

Making Headway...

2008-02-21T12:29:00.000-08:00

Well, things are moving right along on the construction front! They've got everything down to pretty much the bare bones now -- it's just a matter of building things up again and adding on! Great thanks to all the people who are hard at work to make the Richland Public Library as great on the outside as it is on the inside!

The lobby case in the entrance -- don't worry we'll still have display space!

Debris on the roof! How did they get that up there?

The North East Courtyard -- it looks more like a parking garage!

The North West Courtyard

The South Wall of the building.

Making Progress

2008-02-13T10:28:00.001-08:00

The de-construction of the interior of the old library is progressing on schedule and is starting to resemble a parking garage when you drive past. Be sure if you are looking at the construction, you are also paying attention to traffic! It is mesmerizing to watch and would be easy to rear-end someone if you're not careful - take turns driving, so the passenger can watch.

Blowin' in the wind

2008-02-13T10:21:00.000-08:00

Many of you probably drove past the "under construction Richland Public Library" last week to see curtains blowing out the now non-existent windows. This was such a strange sight to see and was captured from the inside by the on-site photographer Beth Bailey.

The Story Circle

2008-02-05T14:40:00.000-08:00

When the library was first under construction back in 1969, a little boy was overheard by Joyce Bliss, the children's librarian that "the new library was going to have a swimming pool!" The pool of course, was the story circle. Now, during the demolition of 2008, it looks like the story circle is a swimming pool!

The demo begins

2008-02-05T14:13:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the

Richland Public Library Under Construction Blog!

Here you will find pictures and updates on how the expansion and remodel of the Richland Public Library is progressing.

Feel free to leave your comments -- we will be monitoring them, so please no profanity or flaming other posters!