Beware of flying Peeps!

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...

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....

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