Latest progress

Kate Smith, Project Coordinator, shared the latest progress on the new library building at the October 12 board meeting. Roof trusses have gone up, as you can see in the picture below. Metal stud framing was scheduled to begin the first part of October. Exterior masonry materials are also being ordered. During the month of October, the focus is on finishing the parking paving and working on wall framing, trusses, sheathing, insulation, etc. to get the building enclosed before winter.

I took the following pictures today, Monday, October 19th.

Building progress update

Kate Smith, Project Coordinator for the new library building project, provided me with some information regarding progress on the new library building. First, a lot of the concrete for the drive and parking lot has been poured. If the weather holds out, the rest may be completed this week. They have started backfilling around the paved area, and hope to do temporary grass seeding along the south side of the building before the weather turns too cold. The installation of the structural steel is on schedule and should be completed early this week, and roof trusses will be delivered mid-week. Exterior wall framing starts this week, and the exterior masonry choices have been approved by the library board. The primary focus right now is to get the building enclosed before winter. What to watch for in the next few weeks: framing, trusses, sheathing, insulation, and masonry being installed!

Growing up!

The building is really starting to take shape! Photos taken September 30, 2009.

September 26, 2009

More wonderful progress on the new library building...

Bathroom/Tornado Shelter takes shape


The News-Gazette also had a picture of workers putting up the block walls of the bathroom in the Tuesday, September 22, 2009 edition, page B-2.

The beginnings of the steel frame

Mid-September progress

See how things are shaping up at the construction site. Watch for the structural steel to make an appearance soon!

Progress Report

As you can see, more concrete has been poured. Parking should be much easier at the new location! In the next few weeks we should see progress on the parking lot and the arrival of the structural steel! Color choices are also being made, for the interior and exterior of the building. The library director, a trustee, and library staff member spent hours looking through color samples for the interior of the building - everything from wall coverings and carpet to the color of bathroom stalls. The color scheme has been described as earth-tones, similar to the colors you see in the soybean fields this time of year, in inviting combinations of green, brown and gold.

Update from September 12, 2009

Again, it's been almost 2 weeks since I've visited the site of the new library, and the changes are exciting! The south parking lot has been poured, and when I visited on Saturday, it looks like the north half of the library floor has been poured, too. They've framed up where the lane into the parking area will be poured, and you can see irrigation pipes under the lane. According to the last report, the project is on schedule. I may have more to share after tonight's board meeting, but for now, enjoy some pictures of the progress!

August 31, 2009 Pictures

Slide show of Photos from Aug. 21 & 24

Pictures from August 24, 2009

I was unable to visit the construction site last Monday, so imagine my surprise when I stopped by today and saw all the work that had been done. The area around the footings had been filled in with dirt, and the "floor" of the building has been filled in, too. You can see PVC pipes sticking up from the ground, a system hidden under this new dirt that's been added. And while I don't know the official name, there are large concrete pipes lined up at the site, waiting to be installed. Check out some of the pictures below.

Pictures from August 10, 2009

Footings and Rebar work

Men at Work

Photos taken Monday, July 27, 2009.

Finding the right furnishings

Mid-July, four staff members visited the exhibitor hall at the American Library Association Convention to learn more about products available to libraries. This was a great chance to meet many vendors of library products in one place at one time. We tried out chairs, tables, and desks, and found out about shelving and storage options. It was valuable to get ideas of what may work in the new library building, and to explore the comfort, quality and versatility of a variety of products.

Construction begins!

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Great Groundbreaking Photos!

So many people came out to help break ground for the new library...thanks for your support!

More groundbreaking photos

General Contractor

At a special meeting of the board of trustees on Monday, June 1, 2009, a construction contract was awarded to the responsible bidder submitting the lowest acceptable bid, Vanguard Contractors of Pekin, IL. Once the necessary permits are obtained, the actual groundbreaking will begin!

Thank You!

Thank you to everyone that attended the groundbreaking ceremony! If you were unable to attend, but would like to read about the event, there is an article in Sunday edition of the News-Gazette, or you can read it online here.

Pictures of the event coming soon!