West Perth Public Library's Addition

Grand Opening - October 31

2008-11-04T20:55:00.010-05:00

The grand opening ceremony took place on October 31 at 1 p.m. Percy the giraffe (a giant floor cushion) welcomed our guests to the children's library. It was great to see so many people come and share in our excitement of the new, accessible addition. It also became very warm in the room with so many people!

After speeches detailing the history and progress of the project, the fundraising effort and speeches of thanks, the library board (and future board member?) was called to the front to accept applause for a job well done. Sorry Susan for cutting you off in the picture.

Project Co-ordinator Ken Ahrens was happy to report the project came in 'on time, under budget and no injuries'. Wait a minute - Jim has just presented Ken with the only injury on the job - a level that was run over by some type of machine.

Jim continued with his presentation with a gift to Caroline and also....

a gift to the library of a beautiful signed print of books and children reading. Jim, you must be so happy your wife Anne Marie has such good taste!

Then it was time for posing with the cake prior to cutting it. From the left: Library Board Chair Charles Fitzsimmons, West Perth Mayor John Van Bakel, Library Manager Caroline Shewburg and Perth-Wellington MPP John Wilkinson.

Thank you to David for the use of some of your pictures. (He was not the photographer of the picture that cut off Susan)

Library on the Home Tour

2008-10-04T17:21:00.025-04:00

The library was part of the Fall Home Tour, put on by the Optimist Club of Mitchell and Mitchell and Area Community Outreach. Decorating was done by Mary Helen Van Loon. All the chairs pictured belong to the library but the rest of the accessories were borrowed from Dublin Mercantile. I have a fast internet connection and lots of pictures, so enjoy your virtual tour.

Decorated magazine alcove. The floral arrangement from Interior Expectations welcomed us into our new space.

Bay window seating arrangement in adult fiction area.

Display on stairway landing containing portrait of Andrew Carnegie, who had contributed the money to build the library in Mitchell in 1910. The reason this library is called a 'Carnegie Library'.

Temporary seating area in the junior fiction section. The tables for the junior and young adult area will be arriving shortly.

This is a mock-up of the window bench that is to be built in the young adult seating area.

Turning around, we see the shelving in the young adult section. Finally, room to expand the collection.

We can now make use of the bay windows as comfy seating areas instead of having them filled with computer equipment.

The library lion has a nice corner in the children's library.

Chair, bear and clock.

Even the kitchen was decorated.

Window display featuring Queen Elizabeth and our coworker Judy Bauer who died in 2001.

Opening Day

2008-10-04T16:20:00.017-04:00

The old entrance - in use no more. A sign has been posted at the bottom to direct patrons to the new entrance off the parking lot. This door is now an emergency exit only. The book drop is no longer at the top of the stairs but around the corner from the new entrance.

Keep going.

You've arrived at the new entrance to the library.

In the door, down the few steps (or use the elevator) and you arrive at our circulation desk. All check-ins and sign-outs will occur from this one location.

A view of the non-fiction area that is in front of the circulation desk.

Turn around and the rest of the floor contains adult fiction, audiobooks, movies and magazines.

Upstairs, huge progress on the young adult area. Considering the wall had been torn out only a week before, Jim and his crew have done a tremendous job.

Patricia Maxine Eisler was the first patron to come through the door.

Welcoming us into our new space were 2 beautiful bouquets from Jim Heckman, our contractor and a bouquet from Interior Expectations who installed the flooring.

A fence has been started around our condenser units outside.

This is what to look for when finding the bookdrop. It is on the back wall of the library, just around the corner from the new entrance door.

Day before 'O' day

2008-10-04T16:13:00.004-04:00

If 'M' was moving day, then 'O' is opening day

In the children's area we have the books on temporary shelves. The cool children's furniture that has been ordered hasn't arrived yet.

This is the one side of the former picture book room. It has now been dedicated to magazines and the romance paperbacks with a comfy seating area.

Moving in furniture

2008-10-03T23:01:00.008-04:00

Okay - lots of news to share - but we've been a 'little' busy.

Some of the furniture was delivered on Monday, Sept. 29. The program area is full.

Meanwhile, on the second floor of the original building, the alcove with the public catalogue has been painted the beautiful blue and the carpet has been removed.

Countdown to opening is on

2008-09-30T04:30:00.006-04:00

Finally, all the shelves are out of the way and we can look up the stairs into the addition to the children's library. We have much of the downstairs organized by this point, thanks to all the volunteers who have spent many hours moving books around for us. However,there is still work to be done upstairs. Some of the furniture for the children's library won't be arriving until later this month.

The newest hole is being framed in. The original stained glass inserts in the top of the windows have been removed for restoration. After being exposed to the elements for almost 100 years, the leading had become very brittle and there were a few cracks in some pieces of glass.

Still some demolition

2008-09-30T04:08:00.004-04:00

There is now a big hole in the wall opening up the former office area. This will be a sitting area in the young adult area.

M-day

2008-09-25T00:10:00.005-04:00

M-day stands for moving day. We have closed for the next week in order to finish alterations to our original space and to get everything set up in the new space. Here goes our circulation desk from upstairs. We're excited about the addition, however, we are going to miss working upstairs with the high tin ceilings.

Many hours and many sore muscles later, a lot of material has been moved downstairs. These are the new wooden shelves loaded with the junior non-fiction.

After being cramped for so long, it looks so empty now upstairs. This is the former reference and junior section. Part of the wall will be coming out to open up the former office.

Functional elevator

2008-09-24T23:35:00.006-04:00

The elevator passed inspection on Tuesday and this is the first 'official' ride on it. It will certainly be put to good use moving books down to the lower level. It's amazing to look at after seeing all the parts it arrived as.

Shelves were put into place downstairs over the weekend .

Steps and light

2008-09-22T09:06:00.005-04:00

Upstairs, the last new ceiling light has been installed in the corner where the steps lead to the addition. Speaking of the steps....

....they have been completed on the sides with drywall, paint, handrails and trim on the edges. Because of the cramped conditions behind the shelf, the flash of the camera does not accurately portray the colour of the paint.

Bits and pieces

2008-09-19T22:49:00.006-04:00

This time, let's start our tour outside. The canopy over the main entrance and the emergency exit is finished. Notice we're not looking through or over a fence? The fence disappeared while I was gone.

Upstairs in the accessible washroom the toilet, sink and grab bars have been installed. Don't mind the carpet remnant that's laying there for a short time.

It's hard to see unless you click on the picture to enlarge it, but the elevator is showing signs of life with the red button on the left side of the door. The elevator technicians have been on hand testing to be ready for inspection next week. We need the elevator to move books downstairs next week!

More stained glass

2008-09-18T13:22:00.005-04:00

I'm back and excited about what has happened in my absence. Thanks to DeAnna for keeping the blog up to date.

Stained glass panels have been inserted in the south windows of the upstairs level of the addition to insure privacy for our neighbour. The design was adapted from the clerestory windows that line the back wall of the original building.

In the kitchen, the sink has been installed and handles put on the cabinets.

2008-09-16T16:59:00.010-04:00

Lights, ceiling, action!

Our in house blogger has deserted us for a trip across the pond... We hope she is having fun and comes back well rested. We will be busy moving books into the beautiful new bookcases.

Circulation desk update

2008-09-09T18:36:00.004-04:00

The circulation area is nearing completion; the countertops are now installed and looking grand.

Railings installed and ready for a steady flow of library users.

Lots of wood

2008-09-03T17:30:00.005-04:00

We're thrilled to see the circulation area start to come together with the installation of the cabinets. Watch for updates as the countertops are installed and the hardware put on.

Hidden treasures

2008-09-03T00:43:00.010-04:00

Are we ever going to enjoy our new space when construction is done. Right now, we have moved books on shelves again in order to free up room for the carpenters to build the steps to the upstairs of the addition. There are tiny little aisles around the shelves - very hot and stuffy in this warm weather we are getting again.

So the old shelves were taken off the wall to make room for the stairs. Behind where the C's and D's of the adult fiction were shelved, the beautiful woodwork of a door frame was discovered. The former chief librarian had told me at one time that originally there was a desk across the main archway of the library and all the books were housed behind it in what currently is the adult non-fiction section. The front of the building were reading rooms. To get a book, you had to ask the librarian to get it for you from behind the desk. We speculate this was the door to the 'inner sanctum'. In conjunction with the general contractor, we are figuring out a way to save this and possibly install small shelves to make it a display area within the frame.

This is as good a shot as I could get in the confined area of the steps into the addition.

Moving along downstairs, the carpet has been laid in the main part of the downstairs addition.

Meanwhile, outside sod has been laid in front and beside the library.

Soft carpet, hard tile

2008-08-30T23:39:00.009-04:00

The dormer at the back of the library has been capped, soffit and fascia applied and eavestroughs are up.

More work has been done on the canopy over the new entrance.

Moving inside, the entrance foyer and steps have the tile put into place. Grout still needs to be applied.

Upstairs, the carpet has been laid.

For the finale of this post, we head for the kitchen/staff room where the cabinets are being installed.

Inside and out

2008-08-26T21:23:00.011-04:00

The front dormer has been finished by capping.

The HVAC system is coming along. The airconditioning units have been installed outside.

The fence has been removed from the front of the addition and the ground is leveled out.

The sidewalk in front of the addition has been replaced due to the wear and tear of big trucks (remember the cement trucks?)

Soffit and fascia are being applied to the eaves.

The entrance doors have been hung.

The foyer and stairs have been tiled. As well, the accessible bathroom upstairs, the kitchen and the emergency exit have been tiled.

The grid has been installed to hang the suspended ceiling in the downstairs of the addition.

Windows have been installed around the circulation area. They'll help keep us out of the draft, but give us a good view of the entrance.

Stained glass and lights

2008-08-19T18:27:00.003-04:00

The ceiling lights have been installed in the upstairs of the addition.

The windows at the front of the building on the upper floor have had stained glass inserts custom made and installed to match the stain glass in the windows of the original building. The motif is "The Torch of Learning". Appropriate for a library?

The look for the entrance

2008-08-15T20:59:00.008-04:00

This is the original medallion that was in the south dormer of the library. A historic touch for the new entrance. The masons finished just 15 minutes before this picture was taken.

The masons also finished the blocks around the elevator doors on all the levels.

The mechanical room is full of bright shiny steel. There are 3 different units since the library is 'zoned' to provide the proper temperatures on different levels. This will prevent the problem that we had in the past of trying to stay comfortable on the upper level while the basement was freezing in the summer. In such confined spaces, I couldn't get the proper angle to show the massive amounts of ductwork behind the units.

Masonry crew on the home stretch

2008-08-13T19:01:00.014-04:00

The elevator doors have been propped open and the masons are back on the scene installing the blocks around the elevator door openings on each floor.

In the entrance way, one wall is being prepared for the insertion of the original 1910 medallion that graced the dormer in the south wall.

The brick has been evenly cut in preparation for capping the dormer.

The wall over the entrance way is now bricked.

The circulation area has been painted tan with Caroline's office painted a calming, ferny green. Some days we need all the calming we can get!

Various shades of steel

2008-08-13T18:56:00.004-04:00

The steel framing has been put into place for the canopy over the entrance door.

This looks like an abstract image, but it is the elevator doors installed and the protective plastic is still on them.

Vistas

2008-08-05T21:14:00.008-04:00

With all the material from downstairs moved to the upstairs, the temporary wall downstairs has been removed. This is taken from the former junior fiction room looking through into the addition (elevator pieces in the background).

Looking out what will be the new entrance.

Elevator tales

2008-08-05T20:58:00.009-04:00

Here's our elevator - well the parts that make our elevator.

Start of the installation in the elevator shaft.

Looking up in the elevator shaft from the next level up, that's either a floor or a ceiling installed.

The pump that powers the elevator. Wonder if the mummy is going to permanently live with the elevator pump?

Crowded upstairs

2008-08-01T20:41:00.007-04:00

Remember we had a temporary plywood wall covering the hole on the upper floor to the addition? That has been removed and a tarp now covers the hole. That made room for....

....more shelves upstairs. Over the last 3 days, all the children's material has been moved upstairs in order to free up the entire basement for the construction crew. We are certainly looking forward to a functional elevator when it comes time to take much of this back downstairs.

Donation to children's library

2008-08-01T20:28:00.009-04:00

TD Canada Trust donated $5,000 to the children's section of the library. Pictured (from left to right): Charles Fitzsimmons, chair of library board; Linda McKay, Mitchell branch manager; and Ken Ahrens, construction coordinator. Every summer, the TD Canada Trust Summer Reading Program is held across Canada, including here at West Perth. Hilary Long of the Mitchell Advocate graciously allowed us to use this picture.

Seeing red

2008-08-01T20:19:00.008-04:00

Ta-da! Our kitchen/staff room has been painted tan on 3 walls and a lovely deep red on the other wall. With plans to hang a bright poster on the red wall, we might never leave our breaks to go back to work!

The new sidewalk has been poured to the entrance. We resisted the temptation to scratch our initials into the wet cement.

Maybe initials this time?

2008-08-01T00:54:00.002-04:00

The forms for new sidewalks to the entrance have been set up. Will Jim allow us to put tiny initials in the wet cement? Hmm. The truck delivering the elevator is in the background.

Uplifting day

2008-08-01T00:42:00.003-04:00

A landmark day! Our elevator is being delivered! I didn't ask what part this was, but I suspect the floor?

"I can sing a rainbow"

2008-07-31T23:58:00.011-04:00

Our old furnace is gone - therefore so is our air-conditioning because of the ductwork. A little warm in here. Our new furnaces have arrived and are ready to be installed.

The upstairs is completely primed....

...and now painted blue with a touch of grey.

Meanwhile, the emergency fire exit from upstairs has gone from primer to....

....Arizona Tan. Wait 'til you see our kitchen/staff room.

Lots of work, but few pictures

2008-07-25T09:07:00.006-04:00

Bricking has been completed on the back of the library, complete with the medallion in the dormer. Left to be done is the area over the entrance way. The white lintels and windowsills complete the windows.

Behind the scenes, the router box that contains all the technology for the connectivity of the library has been moved in the mechanical room to make way for new furnaces. The downstairs ductwork is continuing to be installed. The librarians with the help of a designer have been hard at work planning the layout of the circulation area. Upstairs, the mudding and sanding of the drywall is almost complete.

Type of mud not to be played in

2008-07-18T21:13:00.005-04:00

Looks like the tape and first coat of mud is done upstairs. The glass has been placed into the windows now that the bricking is done on 3 sides of the library (just the small wall of the entrance to go). This makes for some warm stuffy conditions for the drywallers. We've been told that painting upstairs could start next week.

Drywall and bricks

2008-07-18T13:57:00.004-04:00

The drywall is in place upstairs. Now comes the really messy part - taping, mudding and sanding.

Meanwhile, outside the bricking is finished on the side of the library. It's hard to tell from this angle, but the lintel over the side windows and the window sills have been put into place. The masonry crew did a great job in this heat and humidity!

Progress in the sweltering heat

2008-07-16T18:37:00.007-04:00

The medallion has been bricked into the dormer at the front of the library. It looks a little strange as the white stone forming the circle and compass points is covered with plastic and tape to protect it during the mortaring process. The medallion acts as a vent for the attic - with screen behind to stop our friends the bats from entering. This is a replica of the original that was in the dormer on the original south wall. There are plans to incoporate the original in the interior of the addition. The brick still needs to be capped at the top.

The masons are now working on the south side of the addition. Not a lot of shade here until about 3 in the afternoon.

Brick, drywall and men

2008-07-15T18:41:00.008-04:00

The bricking is coming along fabulously. This is the back of the library. Waiting for the decorative feature in the front dormer.

The barrier-free washroom on the second floor of the addition has been closed in with drywall, although the inside of it still needs some work.

Storage! A closet has been built and drywalled in the children's area across from the new washroom. You can never have too much storage!!

And there are the men of the hour! Jim Heckman along with Ken Ahrens who is the project coordinator. Don't let these two gang up on a person with teasing!

Bricking progress

2008-07-10T23:07:00.008-04:00

The bricking on the front has moved up into the dormer. There may be a decorative feature in the dormer, we shall have to wait and see.

The red bricking has been started at the back of the building. This gives a much better view of the white brick covered with plastic to protect against the red morter being applied above.

Meanwhile, inside, ductwork is started to be installed in the lower level. This is a completely boring picture, but so essential to the comfort of the library. The drywallers are starting the taping and the mudding.

Brick by brick by brick....

2008-07-09T22:04:00.010-04:00

The brick on the front of the library is now up to the top of the second storey windows. We have had many comments on how the addition ties in beautifully with the original Carnegie library.

A large portion of the upstairs is drywalled. This is taken from the program room area looking into the children's area. The barrier-free washroom is in the right-hand corner.

More brick - red this time

2008-07-08T19:23:00.003-04:00

The masons have made a good start at the front wall of the library in the heat and humidity.

The upstairs of the addition is now drywalled, but no picture is available.

Plastic all around

2008-07-08T06:32:00.003-04:00

The upstairs is insulated and vapour-barriered in preparation for drywall.

Not a lot to see in this picture, but that's because the white block is covered with plastic to protect during the installation of the red brick - seen on the scaffold.

Brick and drywall

2008-07-04T21:16:00.004-04:00

The ceiling and a bit of the walls have been drywalled downstairs. It's so bright!

The white brick has been finished along the side of the library.

More blocks

2008-07-04T08:57:00.001-04:00

Installation of the white block has been completed on the front of the addition.

Industrious electricians

2008-07-04T07:45:00.003-04:00

In our kitchen/staff room, the electricians have installed the outlets for a microwave, stove and fridge. What a lot of work since it was into the concrete block but thank you - we will be able to have something to eat on our breaks!

Library is just a'hoppin

2008-07-03T09:16:00.014-04:00

On Wednesday, the masonry crew started to install the white brick on the lower part of the library that matches the existing library. Everything is white in the vicinity from the dust from cutting the blocks.

Insulation has been installed in between the studs in the walls in the lower level. It's hard to see, but grey insulation has also been inserted into the ceiling between the floor joists to provide sound-proofing between the two levels.

Piles of drywall are ready and waiting upstairs.

The frame for the new entrance door is in place.

Almost complete roof

2008-06-26T12:56:00.002-04:00

The roof is almost finished and the window frames are being installed.

Exciting times but not exciting pictures

2008-06-24T20:35:00.009-04:00

With some sunny weather, the roof has come a long way. It is finished at the back....

.... on the side and the front is started.

This isn't an exciting picture to look at, but this is going to keep us comfortable in the library. The ductwork is being installed and wrapped in the attic space.

Also not exciting but so-o-o necessary. A new drain has been installed.

Library shutdown week continues

2008-06-19T17:32:00.009-04:00

In spite of the dull, drizzly weather, work has been progressing. The roof and dormer at the back of the library has its tile.

This is looking through the door into the back room, the tarp is gone. This will be the elevator stop on this floor of the library. The raised area beyond the elevator shaft is the program room which shares the same level with the children's section. The elevator will also make a stop at that level.

The electricians have been hard at work as shown by the wire running through the walls and hanging from the ceiling.

Library shutdown week

2008-06-17T10:58:00.010-04:00

The library is shut down this week for the electricians and heating/cooling technicians to do their work. New lighting fixtures have been installed in the main library.

Looking through the door into the back room on the main floor behind the present circulation desk. There used to be a wall and a window there. The wall has been now been removed and the entrance to the elevator for this floor is on the other side of the tarp.

The roof on and around the back dormer has been strapped and the roofing tile is being put on.

Stalked by a mummy

2008-06-12T13:09:00.003-04:00

New walls have been framed downstairs to make the original bathroom wheelchair accessible and to create a new furnace room and elevator pump room. The contractor's office is situated in the elevator room for now with the mummy keeping an eye on them. The bathroom is down the short hall behind the elevator room.

Windows open downstairs

2008-06-12T13:05:00.005-04:00

The window openings have been cut out on the lower floor. (Taken from future circulation area.) A part wall has been added below the windows. This allows wiring to be run without interference of the insulation.

Matching points

2008-06-10T20:32:00.004-04:00

Two views of the dormer that has been added to the front roofline, keeping in character of the original Carnegie library building.

Our ivory tower

2008-06-08T08:14:00.021-04:00

A dormer has been added to the roofline at the back of the library. The roofing tile has been started on the addition.

Over the new entrance and tucked away behind the program room on the second floor is a kitchen that will double as a staff room. We're excited to finally have a staff room. I call this the window of our ivory tower.

Tour the downstairs

2008-06-06T20:06:00.008-04:00

Caroline now has visual confirmation of her office. It is framed in behind the circulation area.

With my back to her office and standing at the (future) circulation desk, this is what we see looking across the addition.

Now, I've turned a bit to the right and we're looking at the wall that was removed into the former picture book room. At the back of the picture book room is the downstairs temporary wall.

Now, I've walked out in front of the circulation desk and turned to the right again to see the elevator shaft and the steps from the entrance.

Stepping up

2008-06-05T12:25:00.004-04:00

The right side of this picture shows what will be the entrance to the library. The steps on the left side of the picture provide a second emergency exit from the top floor. Steps are much easier to navigate than the ladder to get to the top floor!

View from inside top floor of rafters and roof sheeting.

More framing is occurring on the top floor. This is an updated picture of the access between the future children's section and the present library. Electricians are on the scene to start their part of the job.

Skyjack-ing

2008-05-30T21:00:00.007-04:00

Putting the sheeting on the roof has begun. This shows tieing in the new roof to the old. How do they get all the plywood up there......?

..... by using the Skyjack.

Boarded up

2008-05-29T22:57:00.008-04:00

The sides of the the addition are now being closed in.

And we thought we had accessibility issues before! This is how the construction crew reaches the second floor.

Nothing to do with construction

2008-05-29T22:48:00.001-04:00

There has been road work happening close to the library. The librarians are enjoying the sight of Misty in her safety vest who accompanies one of the truck drivers.

Raising the roof

2008-05-28T16:03:00.009-04:00

A crane arrived this morning to put up the roof trusses. This is the first one heading up.

One side finished.

Almost done.

Back view with the roof.

The trusses make a nice pattern against the blue sky.

Mellow yellow

2008-05-28T00:42:00.003-04:00

After sweating it out in the heat and humidity on Monday, the crew had to contend with very cool temperatures and strong winds on Tuesday. The elevator shaft was being worked on (no picture of that since the crew wasn't graced with the presence of the pink hard hat) and the roof is being replaced on the original structure. This shows the fire resistant board that has been installed on the steel support framing on the south side.

Lots to look at

2008-05-26T22:51:00.012-04:00

On a hot and humid day, steel framing went up on the south side of the library. The thunderstorms held off so the construction crew didn't have to work in the rain.

More of the wall has been taken away around the area where the windows had once been. This is taken from the area of the future children's section on the second floor.

Turning around and looking at the rest of the second floor.

Heading skyward

2008-05-23T17:59:00.008-04:00

Framing of the second floor is now in progress.

Back wall against the parking lot is also in place and more blocks are in readiness to complete the elevator shaft.

Another hole in the wall

2008-05-23T17:50:00.002-04:00

On the other side of the temporary wall, the windows and wall have been removed so the floor could be completed.

Wall decorating

2008-05-23T17:37:00.003-04:00

Well, we didn't graffiti the wall, but DeAnna did a great job giving us something cheery to look at.

Shrinking workspace

2008-05-22T12:24:00.002-04:00

Our workspace is s-h-r-i-n-k-i-n-g. A temporary wall has been built inside the windows. The wall with the windows will be removed to provide access to what will be the new children's portion of the library in the addition. Some of the librarians are fighting the urge to decorate the plywood with graffiti.

We're being 'framed'

2008-05-16T20:43:00.011-04:00

An extensive part of the lower floor and entrance is now framed in. (Taken in parking lot behind building).

Taken from inside the addition in the area of the future circulation desk.

A floor to walk on

2008-05-16T00:05:00.004-04:00

Floor joists have been installed with the subfloor being laid on top.

Framing has started

2008-05-15T23:38:00.003-04:00

Big changes are noticeable now that framing has started. (Taken from street in front of library.)

Cool pictures from beam placement day

2008-05-15T23:10:00.005-04:00

It was a little disconcerting to have a hole in the wall on the top floor of the library.

Closer view looking out the hole at a steel post being put into place.

Steel beams and posts in place

2008-05-13T17:05:00.004-04:00

The steel beam and posts have been put into place to frame the hole into the basement.

More blocks have been added to the elevator shaft and the steel floor beams for the second floor have been installed.

Picture of the picture-taker

2008-05-13T16:57:00.002-04:00

At Caroline's insistance, here is a picture of Sherri who

does the posting to the blog.

Plaque presentation for Trillium Foundation funding

2008-05-09T19:58:00.003-04:00

A plaque presentation was held to announce funding of $43,500 from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to assist with improving accessibility to the library. The funding will be used for the elevator and to ensure washroom facilities are fully accessible.

From left: Will Jaques, CAO West Perth; John Wilkinson, MPP Perth-Wellington; Caroline Shewburg, Library Manager; Ken Ahrens, Library Board Member and Accessibility Project Coordinator; Sharon Weitzel, Ontario Trillium Foundation Representative; John Van Bakel, Mayor West Perth.

Rising block by block

2008-05-09T19:53:00.002-04:00

Updated look at the progress of the elevator shaft.

Not exactly Lego blocks

2008-05-08T12:25:00.003-04:00

Block by block, the elevator shaft is taking shape.

Meanwhile, downstairs behind the temporary wall, the space is opening up - for now. The walls between the picture book room, hallway, washroom and furnace room have been removed. Next time we look, new walls will be going up in a new configuration to make the washroom wheelchair accessible.

Behind the scene

2008-04-30T16:26:00.006-04:00

A temporary wall has been built across the end of the junior room to separate the construction area from the public area. Let's sneak behind the wall for a look.

This is in the hall way looking at the back of the temporary wall (on the right) and through what used to be the wall of the picture book room.

The walls are tumbling down

2008-04-24T12:40:00.008-04:00

Before picture of downstairs junior room...

.... After the wall between the junior room and hall is removed. It's possible to see through the hallway and picture book room to the plywood covering the hole to the outside.

Not just a decoration

2008-04-24T12:13:00.004-04:00

The pink hardhat is Jim's present for the 'library ladies' to wear when entering the construction site. When not in use, it sits on the circulation computer and serves as a conversation point.

Still no initials carved in the wet cement

2008-04-22T20:11:00.004-04:00

Forms were in place and the steps from the ground-level entrance to the lower floor were poured today. No more climbing down or walking down a ramp. The elevator will be accessed from the landing.

We have a floor

2008-04-17T08:29:00.002-04:00

A bit of snow happened over the weekend, but it has cleared and warmed for the pouring of the floor. This is taken from the parking lot looking into the area of the future office/circulation desk area. Ground level entrance is on the right.

No picture this time

2008-04-11T19:33:00.003-04:00

Jim and his crew have been taking care of final details with forms and measurements to be ready for the pouring of the floor next week (hopefully - depending on weather - they're calling for possible snow flurries!) Stay tuned for pictures of the next big step.

There's a hole in the wall

2008-04-08T17:41:00.002-04:00

Well, we're not used to being able to see into the library through a hole in the wall! Mike is working with the jack hammer. The hole has been boarded over and tarped to protect from the weather and unwanted visitors.

Backfilling

2008-04-04T18:12:00.001-04:00

Backfilling around the foundation was completed on a dreary April day. The grey blocks on the left side of picture are the start of the elevator shaft.

Wall not tumbling down yet

2008-04-03T13:05:00.001-04:00

The library is a ~~triple~~ quadruple-bricked building. Two layers of brick are being removed on the area that will eventually be opened.

Smile for the camera!

2008-04-03T12:38:00.000-04:00

On the right is our general contractor Jim Heckman and to the left is project manager Mark Paulen.

Hope you're not afraid of heights

2008-04-01T16:10:00.000-04:00

Scaffolding has gone up at the area where the brick will be removed. This is the section that will be opened to join the two areas once the addition is closed in.

And then there were walls

2008-03-28T20:05:00.001-04:00

Forms are off and the walls appear.

On the way up

2008-03-27T12:23:00.000-04:00

Forms are in place and cement is being poured.

The First Cement

2008-03-26T22:44:00.000-04:00

On a bright, sunny day the footings are poured and gravel covers the bottom of the hole.

The bump-out into the parking lot where the new accessible entrance will be.

Here We Go

2008-03-25T18:09:00.000-04:00

It's a snowy, windy day but digging has started.

Looking down, way down, out of the library window into the hole.

Ready, Get Set .....

2008-03-18T23:48:00.001-04:00

Fencing erected around construction site.

Ceremonial Groundbreaking February 29, 2008

2008-03-10T20:43:00.000-04:00

The Hon John Wilkinson, MPP (Perth--Wellington), The Hon Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture, Mayor John Van Bakel, Library Director Caroline Shewburg and Library Board Chair Charles Fitzsimmons were present along with many members of the library board, staff and community for the Ceremonial Groundbreaking.

The Reverend Susan Cameron, Vice Chair of the Library Board blessing the construction of the new addition.

Invitation to Ceremony on cake.