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

We're floored by the progress...

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

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

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

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

Have a great week, and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Theresa

On the homestretch...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theresa

Pane-fully clear...

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

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

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

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

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

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

Theresa