The parking garage is closed again for sealing and re-striping and will open up after Labor Day. Thanks to everyone for your patience. The staff is parking off site so there should be plenty of parking in the east and west surface lots.
Lots of walls have come down and we're amazed about the open spaces. We can't wait until the big reveal for the public. While this is still several months off, the possibilities begin to seem real now. Let the staff know if you have questions about the space that is being revamped.
There is information about the renovation on our website at
http://www.palatinelibrary.org/renovation.htm if you'd like some details.
When the library asked for staff, Trustee and patron feedback about a year ago, some of the items on the wish list were: more computers, more study rooms, more comfy seating, a cafe' or vending area and a more functional central stairway. All of these are included in the project and will be enjoyed by the public.
Like all projects; we'll be glad when it's finished. For now we're glad progress is being made.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
Spaces Undergoing Renovation Are Being Walled In
The construction crew began walling in spaces last week and will finish up with additional walls today. What spaces are being enclosed? There is a wall that blocks off the old computer lab, the magazine area and access to the quiet study room. Why is such a large area enclosed? There is quite a bit of demolition going on in various locations behind that wall and public access to any part of the space will really not be safe throughout the tear-down and rebuilding process. Walling off the entire section will allow the workmen to proceed as quickly as possible and finish up the work.
There's another wall surrounding the 2 group study rooms and going all along the area where the copiers, express computers and new non-fiction used to be. That area is enclosed so work can begin on the new computer lab and group study rooms.
The reason these walled-in areas seem so large is that overall upstairs and down, 5,000 square feet is being revamped for public use! This is really exciting but it means quite a bit of library space needs to be blocked off.
If you have not taken a look at the AV area recently, stop by because there is additional seating and a more spacious, light look to the room. Stop by anyway because this is a great time of year to think about reading something by your favorite author or to discover a new author.
There's another wall surrounding the 2 group study rooms and going all along the area where the copiers, express computers and new non-fiction used to be. That area is enclosed so work can begin on the new computer lab and group study rooms.
The reason these walled-in areas seem so large is that overall upstairs and down, 5,000 square feet is being revamped for public use! This is really exciting but it means quite a bit of library space needs to be blocked off.
If you have not taken a look at the AV area recently, stop by because there is additional seating and a more spacious, light look to the room. Stop by anyway because this is a great time of year to think about reading something by your favorite author or to discover a new author.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Gearing Up For Phase Two of the Renovation - Public Spaces
The construction barrier is going up and this signals the start of phase two of the second floor renovation. The demolition of areas being repurposed as public space is about to begin!
You may have noticed that the area formerly behind the plastic in the AV room is now opened. We've placed some comfy seating by the windows and plan to add some tables in the near future.
Everyone agrees that opening up that area has been a nice enhancement to the space.
Behind the scenes staff members are moving across the hall into the renovated workroom which will now house staff from 2 departments. We're still awaiting some flooring in the staff lounge and administration entry area so these 2 areas can be finished up.
Weekly Tuesday morning construction meetings have kept us on track and the Library has greatly appreciated the work of architects Martha Bell and Mike Carney of Tilton, Kelly and Bell. In addition to managing the redesigns of the library space, TKB is overseeing the construction and furnishings for this project.
Next week might include some unusual noise in the library as demolition takes place. The contractor indicates he'll try to complete the noisiest work early in the day but as demo spills over into later hours, with apology, patrons may hear some of the activity.
You may have noticed that the area formerly behind the plastic in the AV room is now opened. We've placed some comfy seating by the windows and plan to add some tables in the near future.
Everyone agrees that opening up that area has been a nice enhancement to the space.
Behind the scenes staff members are moving across the hall into the renovated workroom which will now house staff from 2 departments. We're still awaiting some flooring in the staff lounge and administration entry area so these 2 areas can be finished up.
Weekly Tuesday morning construction meetings have kept us on track and the Library has greatly appreciated the work of architects Martha Bell and Mike Carney of Tilton, Kelly and Bell. In addition to managing the redesigns of the library space, TKB is overseeing the construction and furnishings for this project.
Next week might include some unusual noise in the library as demolition takes place. The contractor indicates he'll try to complete the noisiest work early in the day but as demo spills over into later hours, with apology, patrons may hear some of the activity.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
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.
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.
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