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
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
New library to feature efficiency
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.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
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
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
Friday, February 19, 2010
The Future of Public Libraries
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.
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.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Colburn School and the Proposed New Library
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.
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.
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