Flying the Steel...

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




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


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

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

Taking shape

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...

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?

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!

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)