New carpeting and other items

Greetings McHenry Library Patrons, Now that our renovation is finished, it's time for a bit of clean-up on various projects. During the first week in Jan. 2011, we will be relaying carpeting in the main library, service desk area because the rubberized/cork surface did not stick well. Hopefully this carpeting will remedy the situation. We have also changed the outdoor drive-up materials drop - basically lowering it, restripping the return lane, adding signage for drivers/pedestrians and wrapping the drop for weather/damage. In Feb./Mar., we'll be adding interior blinds/window coverings. Also in Feb., we'll be changing our PC reservation and printing/wireless printing software to an updated version, easier for staff and patrons to use.

In Mar. 2011, patrons will be able to use a social network catalog - much like Amazon.com - called BiblioCommons to access our card catalog. Wish lists, writing reviews and commentary, doing RSS feeds and linking to your Facebook page will all be part of this software. Additionally, we'll be launching e-readers with pre-loaded books for children and adults. Patrons will be able to check them out and/or use them in-house.

We hope you like what we've done with the place and what we have planned in the near future. We'd love to hear from you by e-mail and or written suggestions. Thanks. Jim Scholtz.

Renovation Update

Greetings all. The renovation of the McHenry Public Library is now complete. The project came in about $164,000 under budget and almost $1.1 million under the $3 million dollar board- imposed ceiling.

Due to some excellent prior planning, changes in architects and a competitive construction bid environment, we were able to save money and also do some extra projects at the same time. Fixing the parking lot and storm sewers were prime examples of 'extra' but needed projects. The drive-up, drop-off materials return was extended and lowered so customers should find it usable now. A light was relocated above the drop to make it more friendly at night.

We still have some interior flooring issues and need to add window coverings and bulletin boards but, all-in-all, the project went fairly smoothly and is 100% complete. Please note that we accomplished the project with no increase in property taxes! All of the funds came from our reserve building fund - savings over many years, plus taking advantage of the "Build America Recovery Zone" bonds, through McHenry County. We will pay those bonds back - $600,000 over the course of the next 5 years and we get a 45% return of the paid interest annually.

We hope that you like our new facility - it is one that has been a long time in coming and one that McHenry customers deserve. You'll be able to take advantage of the following amenities: improved lighting, rearranged book stacks, self-serve holds with self-serve/auto check-out; separate checkout and returns desks; more space for art displays; an improved, more comfortable entry foyer with seating to wait for rides; more express Internet computers and more workstations accessible to patrons, improved furniture for reading, studying and using electronic devices like laptops, etc.; separate Young Adult and Children's areas; 3 new small-group study rooms; 2 new meeting rooms, 1 new conference room/computer classroom, a new genealogy room; new public restrooms and brand new, updated furniture along with a combined service desk. Additionally, we also have a new full-color outdoor electronic sign that is used for advertising library programming.

What you won't see from the customer side is our new staff offices and work area, including a new circulation workroom. Also, the west end of the building has been changed to a grassy area. It is hoped that in the near future, that area will become a 'reading park' complete with trees/shrubs, benches and a brick walkway that we can also use for some outside storytimes and programs.

In a couple of months, you'll also see some changes to our website - a brand new look and easier navigation/more features -- as well as to our online catalog. Our online catalog will look much more like Amazon.com and you'll be able to post/compare reviews of materials as well as make lists of items you want to place on hold.

Please come in and check out all of the neat things that are happening at your McHenry Public Library. Happy reading ... Jim Scholtz, Executive Director.

Library officials working on solution to new book return

Notice to our patrons: we are aware of the problems with the new drive-up book return and are working with our contractor to come up with a solution. Please be patient as we make this new feature work efficiently. We appreciate your comments and hope you're pleased with the rest of the renovation.

New Drive-Up, Drop Off Book Return Opens Friday, Aug. 20

While the finishing touches are done to the front vestibule and lobby of the library, we're happy to announce that the new drive-up drop box will be open starting Friday, August 20. The drive-up, drop-off area is on the south side of the library, accessible from Meadow Lane. The temporary drop boxes in the gravel parking lot will be removed that same day.

We hope to relocate the check-in and check-out areas the week of Aug. 23 so we can re-open the front entrance. Keep checking this blog and our website for the latest updates.

Mark your calendars -- celebrate our Grand Re-Opening and 75th Anniversary the week of October 2-8. Our September/October newsletter has all the details! Hope to see you then.

Heavy Equipment Workers Reach Tentative Agreement

The Heavy Equipment Workers union has reached a tentative agreement to end the nearly 3-week-long strike. What this means for the library is that work can resume on the remainder of our renovation. We hope to get workers back on the job by Friday, July 23, and have the renovation of the front lobby, vestibule and parking lot done by mid- to late-August. Thanks for your patience with all of this!

Heavy Equipment Worker's Strike Postpones Remodel

Hi, Jim Scholtz, Executive Director of the Library here. Just an update to the construction blog:


Currently, our project is on hold until a strike by the heavy equipment operators union is lifted. No other union workers will cross the picket line and they are picketing our site. We are still open to the public but construction work has halted!! The strike is not our fault or under our control and, by state statute, we are required to pay union wages. We will talk about options if the strike goes on for any length of time - Lamp, Inc., our construction management firm has done a great job on the project.

We have been in our new main area since opening to the public on June 14th and things are going fairly smoothly regarding both patrons and staff. Staff likes the new workspace and the service area and are getting settled in both of those areas. Patrons seem to like the new spaces as well - the new public workstations; the new seating and tables with places to plug in laptops and other electronic devices; the new study rooms (2 open for tutoring and other groups of 2-4 people); new restrooms with the Dyson hand dryers; the self-check units; the new YPS/Children's area furniture; the new lighting and ceiling make it much easier to see and the rubber/cork flooring helps reduce sound in the big room. We've also reoriented some of the stacks to provide much needed line-of-sight for staff. Staff also likes the combined YPS/Adult Service Desk that is positioned in the middle of the large room. The meeting room is currently being used as the Main entry (North side) and the circulation area.

The new Conference Room and Meeting Rooms, along with the 3rd Study Room will be available around August 1st or 15th. The front entrance, parking lot, vestibule and circulation area will hopefully be available by August 15th along with the new drive-up/materials drop-off window (South Side, accessible from Meadow Ln.). In the months to come, we'll be adding 8 new catalog computers mounted on the interior pillars, some new children's furniture, signage and video projectors in the meeting rooms/conference room. The project is still under budget and we hope to bring it in at under $2,500,000 - not bad for a project designated at $3 million!! We are trying to use the taxpayers' money wisely and with great care regarding product life.

Just a couple of items related to the construction project. Later, you'll see a full-color, double sided outdoor video sign that will be able to show graphics and display many of our library programs. You'll also see a redesign of our library website (www.mchenrylibrary.org) and we'll have new meeting room scheduling software. So, please come in and see what our library has to offer in the newly remodeled facility.

Library is Open!

The library opened June 14 to the public. Phase 1 of construction is done; Phase 2 should be done by end of July or early August.

Library Expects to Re-open Monday, June 14

Paving has begun today, and if all goes well, the library expects to re-open on Monday, June 14. Visit our homepage - www.mchenrylibrary.org, for the latest info.

Renovation update 5-20-10

We now expect to reopen to the public during the second week of June. Not sure of the exact date; keep checking this blog. Constructions delays forced us to move the June 7 date back a bit.

The new finished space in the back of the library is complete and crews will begin working on the main room soon as well as the parking lot and vestibule.

If you have library items to return, the return bin is on the vacant lot just to our north - follow the signs.

Here are some pictures of the front vestibule being torn down on April 20 - before and after.

Follow-up to emergency closing on March 25

We needed to close the library to the public on Thursday, March 25 to test our fire sprinkler system at three times the normal pressure rate. We knew the city was going to test the sprinklers, but we didn't know at what pressure rate. Since the building is nearing 40 years old, we decided to err on the side of caution and close in case we had some sprinklers leak or burst. Staff spent hours covering everything with plastic. We didn't have much time to plan the closure unless we wanted to prolong the construction calendar. Some of our patrons were understandably confused and angered that we closed as we did, while others were understanding. We're sorry for any inconvenience. Luckily we passed the test successfully with no leaks or broken sprinkler heads. These are the kinds of surprises you don't plan for when doing a major renovation project!

Renovation Update

Things are moving along on schedule with our renovation. In the back warehouse expansion, drywalling is done and painting has begun. (see pics above)

As a reminder, the library will be closed to the public from Monday, April 19 through Saturday, June 5. We expect to reopen Sunday, June 6. The public entrance/check-in/check-out area will be temporarily relocated to the northwest side of the building until the entire renovation is complete later this summer. This is so workers can renovate the front of the library.

Please make sure you return all checked out items before April 19 and pay all fines so your account is in "good standing." This will allow you to register your card at other libraries in the area and use their services. You can now pay your fines through our website using e-Pay.

Progress on Construction

We're into the 5th week of renovation, and things are progressing great! Expansion into the warehouse is moving along well and includes masonry, metal stud framing, HVAC, and fire protections. Major electrical work by ComEd is scheduled for Friday, February 19 when the library will be closed for the day. Keep checking our website (www.mchenrylibrary.org) for the latest updates.

Building renovation update 1/4/2010

Every two weeks, representatives from Gillespie Design Group (our architects), Lamp Incorporated (our construction management firm), and the library meet for what’s called a project meeting. Contractors who will be working on the expansion/renovation attend also. Requirements, procedures, safety, and scheduling are discussed.

The most recent project meeting was Tuesday December 22, 2009 at 9:30. The schedule for early January 2010 was discussed. All dates are subject to change. Here are notes from that meeting:

· Demolition and preliminary plumbing work will start January 4. Part of this work will involve saw cutting the concrete floor, which will start at 6 a.m. when it does occur and end before 9 a.m.
· Masonry work will start January 8.
· Concrete floor leveling is to start January 12. The amount of time needed for concrete to set will affect work in the warehouse.
· Steel work and delivery of metal door frames are scheduled for January 14
· Fire protection and HVAC systems work is starting approximately January 14th.
· Metal stud framing is to start January 18 now.
· Electrical work will depend on cooperation by ComEd.

If any work related to the expansion needs to be done in the occupied area of the library, such as electrical or plumbing, we are to have two weeks warning and if it affects anyone in the library, we will let staff know. We will also keep the public abreast of any closures or changes in service.

Staff parking is being moved from the northwest corner of the property to along the south side of the building starting January 4, 2010.