Library Building Project News

Library Project Progress & Timeline

2012-01-26T11:25:00.001-08:00

At the end of December 2011 General Contractor TLT had completed more than half of their Phase 1 work. At this point in January the exterior masonry is almost finished and the majority of the sub-contractors are now at work inside the building. The stairways and elevator are being installed. Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work is continuing. Wiring for the building’s security system has begun. Wiring for sound and projection systems in the first floor meeting and conference room will start shortly. Exterior curtain wall installation is ongoing.

The project schedule calls for the Main Library to close at the end of April, and all books and other materials to be moved into the new building in early May. Once this has been completed, the current library will be demolished and the site prepared for the re-location of the Colburn School.

To ensure the Library is completed in an integrated and efficient manner, the Permanent Building Committee approved Phase 2 of the project by extending TLT’s contract for 56 working days. The extension is due to the likelihood of damage from the Colburn School moving across the library site. Once the School move is complete, TLT will begin construction of the roadway and entrance court for the new library. They will also work on paving, landscaping, curbing and other details.

This means that the Main Library will be closed until early fall. We are planning to add hours at the Islington Branch Library during this period. Details on options for accessing library services will be published in the next several months.

Library Progress Update

2011-12-14T06:40:00.000-08:00

As of December 12, the new library project is approximately 40% complete. Masonry work is visible on the building’s north side. Utility connections on High Street have been finished. Currently, TLT Construction and the sub-contractors are working on spray foam insulation, drain line installation, and exterior masonry work. The roof shingles and gutters are almost complete. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work continues on the second floor. The Town’s plumbing and electrical inspectors have been on site reviewing the work of the sub-contractors.
Members of the Permanent Building Committee toured the site on November 22. Library Building consultants from the Mass Board of Library Commissioners toured the site on November 29. To date, the Town has received just over $2.2 million in state grants for the project.

New Library Update

2011-10-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

Work on the new Main Library is on schedule and within budget. By October 1, the project was thirty percent complete. Second floor framing of interior walls has begun. Steel roof frames and interior door frames are being constructed. Sheathing, skylight installation, and roofing are also underway. First and second floor masonry work is progressing. In October work on High Street utility connections will begin.

TLT Construction plans to have the structure fully enclosed before the winter. The current schedule calls for the contents of the Main Library to be moved into the new building in early May 2012. At that time work will begin on shelving library materials, furniture will delivered, new computers set-up, the radio-frequency identification system installed, and the staff trained on new equipment.

With the sale of the Colburn School, the original construction schedule will be revised to allow TLT Construction to complete paving and landscape work after the school is moved to the site of the current library. This change will ensure that no damage occurs to the parking and entry court areas. This year’s Town Meeting gave the Board of Selectmen the authority to sell the Colburn School.

An opening date for the 32,000 square foot Main Library will be made next year. Construction photos and the library’s current schedule can be found at www.westwoodlibrary.org

New Library Takes Shape

2011-07-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

In the two months since I last posted, progress on the new library has been excellent. Since we broke ground in early April, TLT Construction has graded and filled the site and completed work on the foundation. The drainage system and underground utilities were installed. Late in June we had our first delivery of steel and the pictures on this blog and the Library’s web site show the outline of the building taking shape. At this stage the changes on site are quite dramatic. The date for pouring the first and second floor concrete slabs is now August. The utilities will be connected into High Street in August as well.
We continue to meet with the Permanent Building Committee each month and weekly job site meetings are held with the architects and contractor. Construction is on schedule and on budget.
Comments from Town residents have been very positive. The staff and I share your excitement as construction moves forward.

Building Project Update

2011-05-13T11:24:00.000-07:00

With construction now underway for the new main library, weekly schedules have been revised to add more hours at the Islington Branch Library. Summer programs will continue at both libraries with some children’s programs at Westwood’s Temple Beth David. For a schedule of hours, project photos, and other updates go to the Library’s website at www.westwoodlibrary.org

TLT Construction has graded and filled the site, installed the footing formwork, and poured concrete for the footings. It is expected that the slabs will be poured on or about July 1. Please remember, the former parking lot area is now a work site controlled by the contractor. For your safety, driving or walking onto the site is strictly prohibited.

If it’s not convenient for you to pick up your library materials at the Main Library, you can arrange to have them sent to the Branch Library or any other Minuteman Library. The pick-up location option can be selected when you place an on-line request or when you call the Library. A large materials return bin is now located at the rear entrance of the Branch.

Library Construction Begins

2011-04-12T07:50:00.001-07:00

Work has begun on the new main library! TLT Construction has taken over the site, fencing off the perimeter of the work area and installing a work trailer for the managerial staff. Steve Viegas is TLT’s project manager and Dennis Pacitti is Design Technique’s Clerk-of-the-Works representing the Town. Weekly project meetings will begin on April 14. The expected completion date for the project is the summer of 2012.

On April 7, the Library Trustees hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the Main Library. Representative Paul McMurtry and Massachusetts Library Commissioner George Comeau were among the speakers. Library Trustee Chair Jane Wiggin welcomed the seventy guests and Selectman Chair Nancy Hyde spoke about the importance of a public library to the Town. To see a streaming video of the ceremony go to the Westwood Community Access Television site at http://westcat.tv/ and look under “Town Events.”

The Library’s new schedule went into effect on April 4. The details can be found on our web site at www.westwoodlibrary.org

Bid Process and Bond Rate

2011-03-16T08:09:00.000-07:00

Two items of interest as the new library project gets closer to the actual start of construction:

The bid process for the new library has come to a close and the Permanent Building Committee voted to enter negotiations with the low-bidder TLT Construction of Wakefield, MA. The Library’s project manager firm, Design Technique, made the recommendation in favor of TLT. TLT is currently the contractor for the new public library in Walpole.

The Town’s Financial team led by Treasurer Jim Gavin and Finance Director Pam Dukeman were able to secure a highly favorable rate on the twenty year bond for the library project. The compound bond rate is 3.78%, which is much lower than the 5% figure originally used to estimate the cost to Town residents. The Library Trustees and I applaud the Town’s success in getting such a low rate.

Public Bid Process Begins

2011-02-16T12:13:00.000-08:00

We are mid-way through the public bid process for the new library. All pre-qualified sub-contractors submitted their bids on February 8. We received 88 bids that day for trades such as plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling, etc. It took the team (project managers, architects and town officials) almost three hours to open, read and record the preliminary results. At this point, it appears that we have at least met figures developed by the project cost estimators for these trades. The general contractor bids are due on February 18 and the resulting numbers will allow us to take the project budget from an estimate to an actual working total. One last note, all firms who submitted bids were pre-qualified by the team listed above and no firm that did not successfully complete this process was allow to participate.

Bid Opening Dates & Colburn School

2011-01-29T11:15:00.000-08:00

Plans and specifications for the library project have been made available to qualified contractors. The following project dates have been set: January 6 – Contractor walk through and site visit; February 4 – bids due from sub-contractors; February 18 – bids due from general contractors.

Geddes Building Movers has completed the re-location of the Colburn School to a rear portion of the site. There are now approximately 25 parking spaces available for public use. We ask all library users to show caution when entering the parking lot and to carefully observe the new traffic pattern. This parking arrangement will be in effect until full construction commences in the spring. At that time there will be no public parking until the project is completed in 2012.

New Library - Colburn School Update

2010-11-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Since my last post, planning for the new library has moved from early schematic designs to 75% completion of the final design. The architects, project manager, Permanent Building and Library Building Committees have all contributed to this effort.

Our timeline to complete plans and prepare bid documents remains on schedule. We expect to receive bids in late January 2011. Independent consultants have reviewed project costs as the plans have been developed. The last estimate was completed in late October and show the project is on budget.

Work to clear the expanded library site began in August by the Department of Public Works. Bids to move the Colburn School were advertised and Geddes Building Movers of New Hampshire were awarded the contract. They expect to begin work on November 15 and to complete the Colburn move in December. During this time parking next to the Main Library will be reduced by half to insure a safe and secure work site. More information on library parking is available at www.westwoodlibrary.org

New library to feature efficiency

2010-07-05T12:13:00.000-07:00

Along with plans for the new library’s mechanical systems, green design features, public and staff areas, we are investigating new technology that will make using the library easier for our customers and more efficient for staff.

Many of you already know that the children’s area will be located on the ground floor next to the main circulation area. So, it was an easy decision to have only one service point to check materials in and out. To help with the increased number of transactions there will be two self-check computers located on the first floor. These machines give the customer the easy option of checking out their own materials. Of course, the circulation desk will still have library staff ready to perform this and other borrower’s services.

Another development will be the introduction of RFID or radio frequency identification technology. Those of you that have a transponder in your vehicle to make the highway toll process faster and more convenient are already using RFID. We plan to insert RFID tags into each item and use the same technology to make the half million circulation transaction much more efficient.

New libraries in Milton and Norfolk have adopted RFID with great success. They use an automated sorting machine to reduce the number of times staff must handle each item. The libraries in Brookline, Sudbury, and Wellesley use RFID to speed the checkout process, provide a security system, and make inventory procedures more efficient. Many larger urban libraries have also embraced RFID.

I believe the use of technology will permit Westwood to meet the expected increase in usage that comes with a new library without a corresponding increase in staffing. At the same time, we hope that reducing the number of repetitive tasks the staff now performs will allow us to focus their time and expertise to giving our users even better service.

2010-05-26T07:29:00.000-07:00

The Annual Town Election gave final project approval for the new main library by a vote of 1,480 to 850.

The next steps will focus on finalizing architectural plans (schematic plans are on the Library website at www.westwoodlibrary.org) and writing bid specifications and documents; developing plans to move the Colburn School (sometime in the fall); arranging for project financing through the state grant and a town bond; coordinating meeting and reporting procedures with the Permanent Building Committee; continued fund raising efforts; deciding on interior furnishings and colors; getting final approval from Town boards.

During this phase, the architects, Finegold, Alexander & Associates, and the project manager firm, Design Technique, Inc., will continue to play an important role along with the Board of Library Trustees and Town employees.

The anticipated ground breaking will be early in 2011. The exact date will be announced later. The library staff will start to formulate plans to provide services during the construction phase when there will be very limited parking at the Main Library.

2010-03-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

The Library Trustees and I were pleased with the approval of the new library project at the March 8 Special Town Meeting. As always, we were glad for the opportunity to discuss details on the needs, plans, and financing. Jim Alexander from Finegold, Alexander Architects gave a very informative presentation on the development of the schematic plans.

We have participated in five public meetings on different aspects of the project since January 1 and, by my count, more than forty public meetings since January 2009. When the Finance Commission mailed their Special Town Meeting warrant book to every Westwood household at the end of February, people called, emailed, and visited the library to ask me questions about the project.

It is a challenge to reach each Westwood resident with the information necessary for them to form an opinion on the merits of the project. Between now and Tuesday, April 27, the date of the annual Town election, the Library Trustees and I will hold more public meetings with time for questions and comments. Please watch this space for the details.

Don’t forget you can contact me through this blog; by phone at 781.320.1041 or email: tviti@minlib.net

The Future of Public Libraries

2010-02-19T10:11:00.001-08:00

When I talk about a new library for Westwood, I am frequently asked “What is the future of public libraries?” People are concerned that new technologies such as the Amazon Kindle are going to make libraries obsolete. This question really asks librarians to describe what the 21st century public library will look like.

There is no doubt that libraries and other institutions (i.e., newspapers) that rely on the printed word to communicate ideas and stories are in transition. The development of a digital version of the book that is portable and adds features (dictionary, type size options, etc.) which the printed page lacks appears here to stay. In addition, more information appears on Internet web pages and in on-line databases every day, and these may never appear in print.

Given all this, I am confident that public libraries will be just as well-used and as important in the decades to come. In the twenty-plus years that Westwood has been a member of the Minuteman Library Network, I have witnessed many examples of libraries utilizing technology for new and popular services. And even though we continue to expand our on-line services, like down-loadable audio books, more people come to the library each year.

In large part that’s because libraries are more than a collection of books or DVDs. The lasting strength of public libraries is the place we provide for the community to come together for information, cultural activities, and recreation. Whether you come for a tax form, to borrow a museum pass, or to take a yoga class, the public library provides you with opportunities to explore your interests and join others in doing so.

That’s why in planning for a new library we are putting so much emphasis on an efficient and adaptable user-friendly space that is attractive, comfortable, and convenient for everyone. The types of materials we offer will certainly expand in kind and change in the years to come, but the public library’s role in the community, to be a source of information no matter what the technology that delivers it, will be just as vital.

Colburn School and the Proposed New Library

2010-02-01T13:51:00.001-08:00

To answer questions about the Colburn School and the proposed new library, here is some basic information.

The Colburn School, built in 1874, is a contributing building to a historic district, the Colburn School district, one of two in Westwood that are recognized by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC).

The Colburn School is currently under the control of the Board of Selectmen. The building has been vacant since April 2005.

It is not possible to construct a new library on the site without moving the Colburn School.
In 2005, the Library was award a grant by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) for construction of a new library.

In 2007, the Board of Selectmen, the Library Trustees, and the Westwood Historical Commission (WHC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the MHC that allows the school to be moved in order to facilitate the construction of the proposed new main library.

The key parts of the MOA include mothballing the school(completed), creating a photographic record of the building (completed), finding a use for the school, keeping it within the historic district, and preserving as much of the historic character of the building as possible. There is no time limit on developing a use, nor does the MOA require that the Town find a municipal use for the school.

The MOA removes a potential obstacle to the Board of Library Trustees receiving $4 million in grants from the MBLC to construct the new library. The Town must vote to approve the library project by June 15, 2010 to receive the grant award.

Estimates for the rehabilitation of the Colburn School are $2+ million.

While there have been town discussions on the future of the Colburn, no consensus has been reached. Selling the school for business use is a possibility. No firm decision can be made until the new library project nears completion.

The Library Trustees purchased .6 acres of land from the owners of 646 High Street in 2006 to provide enough space for the new library and a relocated Colburn School. Prior to this a review of possible locations for the new library was undertaken; the current High Street site was deemed the most feasible.

The configuration of the recently purchased land provides a convenient spot to “store” the building during construction of the new library. Moving and related re-location costs for the Colburn School are currently estimated at $150,000. Part of this cost will be covered by the Library’s grant award.

Architectural plans for the new library include the option of locating the Colburn on the site of the current library. This plan has been endorsed by the Westwood Planning Board, and meets MHC’s current requirements.

A time-line for construction of the library set mid-2012 as the completion date.

The Board of Selectmen have said that they will review all options for the Colburn School contingent on approval of the new library project.

Important Dates

2009-12-30T12:42:00.001-08:00

Important dates have been set for the proposed new library project. Please keep these meetings in mind if you would like to participate in the town decision concerning the library.

The Board of Selectmen will hold a meeting to discuss planning options for the Colburn School on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 7:30pm, at the Little Theatre at the Westwood High School.

The Finance Commission will hold public meetings on the library question on Monday, February 1, and Monday, February 8 2010. Finegold, Alexander, the architectural firm for the project, will present the current plans.

The Westwood-Walpole League of Woman Voters will host a town-wide presentation on the new library project at the First Parish Meeting Hall on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 2:00pm.

The Board of Library Trustees will host a presentation on the new main library on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at the Main Library on High Street. Finegold, Alexander, the architectural firm for the project, will present the current plans.

Finally, the Special Town Meeting to consider the new main library will take place on Monday, March 8, 2010.

Building Plan Progress

2009-12-30T12:39:00.001-08:00

The last few months have seen significant progress in finalizing plans for the new main library. The Library Building Committee met five times to study schematic plans, select a mechanical system, and review cost estimates. Meetings were attended by town residents, members of the Finance Commission, and members of the Pedestrian and Bike Safety Committee. The nine member committee included representatives from the Westwood Permanent Building Committee and Historical Commission. Library Trustees and members of the architectural staff from Finegold, Alexander met with the Westwood Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Variances were granted by the ZBA for height and front set-back. These variances were supported by the Planning Board. Library planning activities were reviewed by the Finance Commission at several meetings this fall. Topics discussed were fund raising, preliminary cost estimates, and the $4 million construction grant. The design of the building has been completed, although all of us acknowledge that further refinements are needed to the building’s High Street front. It has been a challenge to create a “public face” for the new library that blends with the historical district and still creates a strong presence as a public building. Comments from the Gay and High Street neighborhoods, the Planning Board, and the Historical Commission
have been very helpful. Plans should be available on the Library’s web site and on display at the Library within weeks.

Do We Still Need a New Library?

2009-09-16T12:53:00.001-07:00

A town resident recently sent me a copy of the Boston Globe article on Cushing Academy’s decision to have a “bookless’ library. The writer questioned whether we shouldn’t rethink our request for a new library. This is my reply:

“The Board of Library Trustees and I do not feel this particular school decision changes the need for a new public library in Westwood. While it raises many interesting issues, these are the important points to consider:

· The community’s need for public library services is substantially different than the need for library services in a private school with 450 students.

· School libraries provide resources that support the institution’s curriculum.

· The resources of public libraries are much broader in scope and are intended to serve the recreational and educational needs of its community. The range of people that uses a public library is far greater and more varied in both age and need.

· It is certainly true that the printed book is in transition with possible alternatives on the horizon, but no real outcome yet. The library already has books in these non-print audio formats: compact disk, MP3, audio-cassette (likely to be phased out), and soon remote (i.e. from your home) downloadable audio.

· In towns like Westwood, the public library serves as a community center, which often has little to do with library materials, print or otherwise.

· The library provides meeting space for community groups or study space for individuals; an Internet access point; a clearinghouse for community information, and a place for discussion on issues affecting the town and its residents.

· Our participation in the Minuteman Library Network will enable us to take advantage of the emerging technologies that will shape the future of information. Because we have regionalized our underlying service and support systems, Westwood is uniquely positioned to utilize the new services and formats that will undoubtedly emerge.

· A free public library has great value to our way of life and system of government. A private school is limited to a select group of people.

I do not know how successful Cushing Academy will be in their switch to a “bookless” library. But I can promise you that those students who need a book will be coming to their local public library. I would be happy to discuss this question with you at any time.

Tom Viti, Library Director”

To read the Boston Globe article regarding Cushing Academy’s decision to have a “bookless” library http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/04/a_library_without_the_books/

Timing of Town-wide Vote for New Library

2009-08-26T12:15:00.001-07:00

The Library Trustees met with the Board of Selectmen on August 24 to continue discussions on the timing of a town-wide vote for the new library. Initially, the Library needed a vote before the end of the year because of the state’s grant acceptance deadline, but the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has extended that date to June 15, 2010. The Trustees continue to be interested in a Special Town Meeting because they feel strongly that the library question needs consideration by a Town Meeting in advance of a vote at the polls. If the proposed new library were placed on the warrant at the Annual Town Meeting, the vote at the polls would precede a community-wide discussion. For more information on the meeting and related issues please visit this link http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/news/x1476163657/Westwood-library-job-going-to-Town-Meeting-next-year

Architect Chosen for New Library

2009-07-14T15:36:00.001-07:00

I am pleased to announce that the Library Trustees have chosen Finegold Alexander Associates Inc. as the architect for the new Westwood Public Library. The Town’s Permanent Building Committee finalized a contract with the firm on June 30. Funding for the phase one work was approved at the 2009 annual Town Meeting.

The Library Building Committee received 18 proposals for the project and short-listed four firms as finalists. Committee members visited a library designed by each of the finalists. Interviews with the four firms were held on April 16.

Finegold has previous public library design experience including an addition to the Newburyport library, which is located in a historic district. The Finegold team was impressive in their knowledge of public library design and their commitment to working with community groups. Their design work reflects an understanding of a library’s role in the community. Finegold’s staff is very familiar with green architecture applications, state bid laws, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners construction program.

The Library Building Committee looked closely at Tappe Associates, J. Stewart Roberts Associates and Beacon-Smith before ranking Finegold Alexander as the top firm. A preliminary planning meeting with Finegold Alexander was held on June 22. The architect will produce a project timeline soon.

Photos of Current Building Conditions

2009-07-02T15:47:00.001-07:00

Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program

2009-07-01T14:14:00.001-07:00

You have read that the Westwood Public Library has received a provisional grant award from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) for approximately $4 million. The award is contingent on local approval to build a new main library.

The total is comprised of two separate awards: $3,698,929 for the Public Library Construction Program and $184,915 for meeting green architecture standards. More than 60% of the total grant award will be given to the Town before groundbreaking and the remainder before construction ends.

The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program for public libraries (MPLCP) was first funded in FY1990 and has awarded grants to public libraries in 226 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth for construction of new library buildings and addition/renovations. Local area communities receiving MPLCP grant funds include: Canton, Dover, Medfield, Norfolk, Norwood, Needham, and Wellesley. The MBLC is an active participant during the planning and construction process and its building consultants work closely with the local library to insure a successful project.

To be eligible, applicant libraries must be certified by the MBLC as
meeting minimum state standards for public library service and must have a long-range plan on file. Any project funded under the program must meet the 20-year needs of the applicant's municipality. Proposals must be based upon a library building program written prior to retaining an architect and submitted to the Board.

A "Green" Library for Westwood?

2009-06-05T12:09:00.000-07:00

When architects begin to design the new Main Library this summer, green design considerations will be an important part of the process. The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) will award Westwood a grant of $184,946 if the new building achieves LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. In developing the criteria for evaluating architectural firms, the Library made experience with environmentally responsible design and the LEED certification process an important part of the selection process. The MBLC's Green Library Incentive is intended to assist municipalities in reducing the initial up-front design and construction costs associated with green design, and to fund participation in the LEED certification process. Sustainable, or "green," library design actively considers a building's impact on the environment and on the people who work in and use the facility. LEED certification is obtained after submitting an application documenting compliance with the requirements of the rating system, as well as paying registration and certification fees.

Want to learn more about "green" construction? Look at http://www.usgbc.org/

Town Meeting Approves Funding Architectural Services

2009-05-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

Voters at the recent town meeting approved the Library's request to fund architectural services to prepare designs and cost estimates for the proposed new main library. The cost for this work is $90,000. This planning step will help secure Westwood's $4 million building grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).