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.