Renovation Moves Into August and First Phase of Garage Repair Wraps Up

This past week the first phase of the garage repair came to an end and the garage is now open while the cement is curing. The complete curing requires about 3 weeks so the garage will be closed again beginning around the 12th or 13th of August. At that time the final sealant will be applied and the striping done with plans to open the garage again right after Labor Day. I can't thank everyone enough - staff and public - for the understanding as we've undertaken this repair. Since it's a warm-weather project requiring 8-10 weeks it was inevitable that part of the summer would be needed to complete the work. The good news is the garage will be ready to go well before the also inevitable Chicago-area winter weather arrives. (Gee, I sure do not want to think about that just now!)

We're getting ever closer to revealing the first area impacted by the renovation. The work associated with removal of some of the small rooms in the Audio Visual area is almost done. On Friday the finishing touches were being put on the paint. We do plan to open up that area sometime in the upcoming week with tables and chairs - items often requested as an addition in that space. We're really looking forward to any rearranging of shelving that the extra space allows as well. And the light coming in those west windows is already amazing.

Progress continues in workrooms as more painting and flooring is installed. Right now we expect to begin seeing construction barriers erected in public areas during the second week of August. I have a feeling the end of phase one and the start of phase two will be happening pretty much at the same time as the project rolls on into more demolition that sets the stage for new public areas.

For those of you who love browsing our new non-fiction - heads up - it has been moved in preparation for that phase two demolition. The new non-fiction now fits nicely on the two sections of shelving just across from the service desk and newspapers. Ask at the desk if the new location is eluding you. We still have the same great selection and display.