“The only thing that is constant is change.” – Heraclitus
I think Heraclitus would have made a pretty good member of PLF. This summer is going to be another action-packed rollercoaster of a ride. While we won’t have the challenge of opening a new building, Candy Scott, Dan Yeoman, Dan Rotello, Jacinda Laymon, our newest addition Carl Burgeson, and I, do have several major projects, as well as working on vacating the remainder of the six libraries that Vicki Killion wrote about last week. This is in addition to multiple smaller projects, not to mention our day-to-day activities of mail delivery, supply ordering, and work orders, etc. Following are some updates.
HKRP Expansion: At the request of the Project Manager Ron Reehling, the HKRP, PLF, and ASC team worked double-time to clear the Hicks Basement construction area by spring break for an accelerated construction start. Donna Slone and her team came through to get the remainders of the EAPS map collection from the skids, where they had been since EAPS closed. The maps are put away in their new homes located in the map cases in Hicks Undergraduate.
While demolition was delayed due to some contract issues, we were able to use some of the extra time to finish moving at a more comfortable pace. The HKRP staff are now comfortably ensconced in their temporary quarters. You will find them in STEW G50 as well as in the Physics Library.
The bid for the HKRP Expansion Project has been opened, and a low bidder has been identified. Once the contract is in place, demolition will begin. Unfortunately, because they were not able to start work during spring break when the students were gone, the contractor will not be able to begin any truly noisy work until after the semester ends. The bids that came were reasonable enough that we were able to cover the base bid for the expansion of Hicks Repository, as well as Alternate 1, to mitigate cracks in the walls of the existing Hicks Repository. Thankfully, Interim Dean Rhonda Phillips was able to make some contingency funds available so that we are also able to accept Alternate 2, to mitigate cracks in the ceiling of the existing Hicks Repository.
AVTE Renovation and Remodel: This project is also taking off! The bids are due next week for the Renovation and Remodel of the Aviation Technology Library. We had a pre-bid walk through on Tuesday for prospective bidders. There were at least 10 companies represented, so we are optimistic for a successful bid. Once completed, the renovation will include four meeting rooms, six computer stations, eight carrels, eight table stations and three soft seating chairs—a significant increase to the 1,600-square-foot library. This project will also correct some of the heating and air conditioning issues, and, working with the Terminal building manager, Adam Baxmeyer, we were able to take over roughly 160 square feet of lobby space to relocate the main entry and make the library more accessible and visible. Construction begins after school lets out in May and should be done mid-August.
HVAC Renovation and Replacement in the 1913 portion of Stewart Center: While not technically a “Libraries Project,” the fact that this will displace almost all of the Administration, Business Office, PLF, Press, Research Data, Acquisitions, Collections and Access, Communications, Development and IT (hope I didn’t forget anyone!) means it will affect almost everyone in Libraries in one form or another. This week we had three meetings to explain the project to the people located in the construction area. According to Project Manager Margaret Danao and Senior Engineer Tom Voigt, some of the equipment being replaced is original to the building. This project is set to be done over an 18-month period and is organized into five phases, each phase lasting roughly three-four months. The contractors will replace the steam radiator system with a more modern and efficient four-pipe hot-water system. Although not really a remodeling project, we will get many new ceilings, new registers, and thermostats as part of the project.
These are just a few of the major projects we will be working on this summer. If you have questions on these, or any other initiatives, please let me, Candy, or any PLF member know—we will be happy to answer them. |