Topping out! Plus, more bricks! And a sneak peek upstairs

When we walked out of the library on a glorious springlike day yesterday afternoon, we were greeted with this scene:

Yep, that flag means we're officially topped out... last beam placed! :)Glad we took a photo yesterday. It was much gloomier out there this morning with all the clouds.

Walking into the building this morning, we stopped off to talk to with some construction folks about what's ahead. They told us that bricks on the schedule for the front addition next week. Here's a shot of it this morning, as workers were putting on the green waterproofing barrier:

Also, be ready for a week without air conditioning at the library starting Monday, Feb. 27, as workers install our new cooling tower to update our building's hvac system.

Finally, we did a quick walk-through "behind the wall" upstairs this morning because we heard that some finishing paint had been put on some of the walls. The photos here don't really do it justice, but it's a very calming palette so far... very pale, soft gray with accents of pale blue:

Pretty! LOVE that expanse of soft blue in the second photo!

Yes, they do windows!

Another sign of progress on our project: Windows!

Here's a worker preparing the openings for glass installation in the addition that faces our parking lot.

And here's a cool shot of a new window on the second level of that addition. Notice the window to the left as well... panes in progress!

NEXT week will be the week when workers replace our chilling tower for our HVAC system. That means that for seven days, starting on Feb. 27, our building will not have air conditioning. Please plan accordingly!

Heads up... we won't have air conditioning next week

As buildings age, so do their mechanical systems. Our library's heating and air systems are outdated and will be replaced as part of our renovation. As long as the parts arrive on time, workers will begin installing our new chilling tower next Monday (February 20). This very necessary work will take about seven days, and there will be no cooling system operable during this time. Please plan accordingly and dress in layers when you visit us next week!

We apologize for the temporary inconvenience this work may cause, but the end result will be a much more efficient system that will heat and cool the building more effectively and save energy (and dollars).

Yay, bricks!

Check it out! We took these photos of brickwork on the addition facing the parking lot this morning:

Looking good so far!

What's that green stuff?

Yesterday afternoon, workers started painting the addition facing our parking lot bright green. If you've been by, you may be wondering, "What is that stuff?"

It's a water-proof coating that's applied before masonry and is meant to protect the interior from any moisture that may seep in from the outside. It means we're getting ready to see some bricks!

The addition's filling out! Plus, some peeks behind the wall

Happy to report that the addition facing the parking lot is starting to look like a building!

Pretty exciting, huh?

Also, we took a peek behind the temporary wall on the second floor to take a look at the space that will become the larger Heritage Room. Check out these photos!

In the above photo, you can see the old Heritage Room space (look for the big round light fixtures.) The photo was taken at the edge of the new space. Laura Carter is standing there at the edge of the old Heritage Room offices (wall is gone)for perspective.

This last shot gives you a better look at the old space. The new Heritage Room will have its own conference room for classes and meetings. Plus it will have more space: for the collection, for storage and for the staff! We are excited!

They're working on the roof!

Workers are starting in on the roof for the addition facing the parking lot.

Hello, up there!

Also, they're building the steel framework for the glass structure over the future lobby.

It's exciting to see things take shape!