Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Rockin' and Rollin'

As our construction manager said last week, we are "rockin' and rollin'." With the end of the semester, Groathouse and all the subcontractors have kicked the renovation into high gear.

While we were closed between graduation and the beginning of summer school, several things happened:

1. Lights from the older part of second floor were moved to the new second floor addition.
2. The amphitheatre ceiling and walls were reinforced to accommodate the weight of the second floor and the wind stress with new glass windows.
3. Second floor, including the new tutoring center, was painted.
4. The Kalwall on the north amphitheatre wall was removed. Framing for the new glass wall was installed.
5. Second floor public area was carpeted.
6. Many behind-the-scenes projects were completed.

This week, glass is being installed in the amphitheatre wall. Once this is done, we will be able to see the outside from the circulation desk for the first time in history.

In addition, a professional library moving company is moving the entire book and government documents collections from the existing building to the new addition. They have very large book carts that hold lots of books and keep them in good order. Once they unload a range of books, they slide the range on teflon pads to the new location. Then, they reconfigure the book shelving to the right size and reload the shelves. Sounds like a lot of work and it is. With five people working, they are moving fast, however.

The main floor of the library is open for students to use, but the second floor is currently off-limits because so much work is happening up there. If someone needs an item from the second floor, one of the library staff members will retrieve it for them.

Susan

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