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What’s going on with the roof? Well, it turns out that the roof has experienced quite a bit of wind damage over the years. In the last few years we have started to lose shingles and so we had it looked at by our insurance company. They determined that the entire roof needs to be replaced because of wind damage and are paying for it to be replaced. So, this wasn’t meant to be part of the construction project but it is occurring at a good time when we are closed.
The Roof
October 18th, 2010What’s New at the Library
October 4th, 2010Today I overheard one boy say to another, “Here, look at this. Everything changes each time I come here.” Yes, changes are occurring quickly and becoming more visible. The three new restrooms have been open for several weeks. The teen area has been unveiled (without its furniture and most of its shelving). More and more carpet is being installed and more walls have been painted. While much has been done, there is much more to be accomplished with all of it due to be ready November 11. It is an amazing process of teamwork and strategy by all involved.
It is a bit chaotic right now. I continue to be amazed by the patience and good humor of everyone using our library. Please, be sure to ask a staff member if you don’t find what you are looking for. Also, remember that we will be closed beginning next Monday, Oct. 11. Stock up now to carry you through the closed period.
Our book drops will be open 24/7 while we are closed so feel free to drop things off as you are done with them.
Noise in the Library
October 4th, 2010During the next few days (through Friday) it is quite possible that it will be extremely noisy in the library. Three columns are being installed and that means the construction workers must drill into the concrete. After 2:00 it will get quiet so we recommend that if you’re looking for a quiet place to be, come to the library after 2:00 or on Saturday or Sunday.
Unfortunately We Have to Close During the Renovation
September 17th, 2010It has been determined that the library will have to close beginning Monday October 11 and reopen Thursday, November 11. It’s possible we will open a few days earlier so, as usual, watch our web site and enewsletter for an update down the road.
There are a number of construction projects that need to occur in the lobby and the lobby won’t be usable. However, there are a number of options for you to still receive library service.
Your library card is good at just about every library in Illinois, including our neighbors. Other libraries will also answer reference questions for you. Some of our neighbors do provide access to computers – Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Westmont and Downers Grove. If a reserved item comes in for you, we will be calling you and making arrangements for you to pick up the items. Book discussion groups have already been contacted regarding arrangements for their books. The Woodridge Public Library will be issuing the IPPL Museum Passes. Our book drops will also be open. Unfortunately we will not be able to respond to phone calls or emails during this time.
We’re sorry we have to close, but we do encourage you to check out plenty of materials to tide you over. Beginning Monday, Sept. 20, three week items will not be due until after we open. Monday Sept. 27 two week items will not be due until after we open and Monday Oct. 4 one week items will not be due until after we open.
Where is…?
August 27th, 2010In this fast-paced construction project, we’re constantly thinking about where to move things so they are not in the way of the construction. It’s very strategic because we want to move things as little as possible and we don’t want to move the same items multiple times over the course of the project. But magazines and newspapers for adults is one collection that has and will be constantly moved. The area they’ve always been housed in has been slowly growing smaller over the past month as the contractor moves the barricade walls. Right now the current newspapers are in the 2nd floor hallway. Next week the magazines are going to end up in the youth services department.
The adult paperbacks have been moved into the lobby but ultimately we need that space emptied. So we’ve made the decision to box up the paperbacks and put them in storage to get them out of the way. We still have the new paperbacks available for patrons to browse. The adult CD-Roms are also going into storage.
The new fiction has been moved once, the new non-fiction is being moved in the next few days and they will probably both move again next week.
We’ve posted a floor plan by the entrance that shows where things are at during construction. And, of course, staff are always happy to help you find things.
Walls are coming down and walls are going up!
August 27th, 2010The project is moving quickly. It is a whirlwind of activity. Leopardo is doing a great job of staying on schedule and working with us to create as small an impact on services as possible. On the first floor a barricade has been erected next to the circulation desk. They’ll be starting work in that area to create the vending café.   The barrier wall in adult services will be coming down next week and a new one will go up at the other end of the department. The new restrooms should be open to the public in about 2 weeks.
On the second floor the wall between youth and the hallway is slowing being removed. The barrier wall in youth will be coming down next week. September 1 we will move the youth department staff into their new workroom (their old workroom will eventually be the Family Center) plus we’ll be moving the youth fiction and non-fiction into their new locations.
So far, staff have been able to see some of the new paint colors on walls, plus the new restroom tiles and counters.  It’s very exciting to watch the changes.
Construction Day 1
July 30th, 2010Today the contractor installed the barrier walls on the first and second floors and started some demolition work. On Monday they’ll finish installing the barrier walls (boy, they get those up fast!) and demolition will continue. Though items have been moved around and things are a bit chaotic, our patrons seem to be “going with the flowâ€. As is the staff. How nice!!
A young boy asked one of the carpenters what he was doing. The carpenter replied, “I’m building a surprise for you.” The boy was quite excited. We’re hoping all our patrons will feel the same way. The staff certainly do.
Moving Days 1 and 2
July 23rd, 2010Yesterday and today we kicked off the renovation projects by moving collections, furniture and shelving to make room for the construction.
During the week, the contractor came in and removed the glass and framework at the entrance to the Youth Department. This is part of the project and was done early to make room for the movers.
Yesterday the movers, Pro Lift Movers, moved youth materials into the Meeting Room – picture books, beginning readers, step-up books, kits and DVD/videos. Parenting and teen materials are in the process of being moved to new areas in the department.
For adults, the library IT staff have moved the adult computers to the first floor (along the east wall), also setting up the print center, PC Reservation and the new scanning station.  Staff in Adult Services have moved the audio books and new materials to an area near the Reference Desk. CDs and DVDs shelves have been shifted. And the paperbacks have been moved to the lobby. Magazines and newspapers remain on the second floor for now (it’s a nice quiet place to hang out.) The movers disassembled shelving and stored it in the basement (boy these movers work very quickly!).
The receptionist desk has been cleared as that desk will be removed soon. We’ll continue to have a receptionist answer the phone but this will occur in the Circulation workroom.
Monday the contractor will start receiving supplies to help them build construction barricades separating the public and staff from the construction work.
Things are pretty crazy right now, but staff have been really great about pitching in and doing what needs to be done. And the rest of the staff have kept the library running.
Furniture
July 23rd, 2010The furniture bids also came in below the estimated budget – by $26,000.00. Yeah! This includes cleaning and reupholstering existing furniture, additional end panels and tops for shelving and new tables, lounge chairs, task chairs, computer tables, cafe furniture and service desks.  All the service desks are designed in pieces so that they can easily be redesigned in the future. (Our current desks are bolted into the floor and completely inflexible.) As far as seating goes, we’ll be adding 35 seats in the renovation.
Contractor and Mover Selected
July 7th, 2010The most important day in the building project (except for our re-opening after the renovation) is the bid day. Will the bids allow us to do want we want to do? The answer is YES as the low bid came in about 8% less than the estimate. The contractor with the low bid is Leopardo Companies, Inc. All the contractors had to pre-qualify first by demonstrating experience in similar projects and showing good financial standing. Leopardo has done many jobs similar to ours and has very enthusiastic references. The start date for the project is July 26.
We also selected a mover for the project, Pro Lift Movers. This was done through a bid process last month. The mover has 30 years experience and a lot of experience in libraries.
Currently the furniture is out to bid and those figures are due July 13.
