Spring 13 Update

Perhaps you’ve seen the progress on the outside grounds of the new Library? Trees are being planted, light pole bases and fencing installed, and the ground is being prepared for paving. Curbing for the circular entry court has been put into place. All this means we are getting close to opening. While we don’t have a firm date, all signs indicate that it won’t be long now. The Library Trustees and I appreciate the continued interest shown by town residents. While the process has taken longer than anticipated we are confident that the Library will be a huge success. Meanwhile, inside the building important punch list work is being completed. This includes start-up of the air conditioning system. Staff training on the new phone system and updated building safety procedures will take place in June. We are also working to make our museum passes available for on-line request. The majority of the staff continues to work at the Branch Library keeping the building open six days a week. You can see progress on the former Colburn School as contractors for new owners Coffman Realty re-habilitate the building. Between the two projects, the work site is a very busy place. The Town Building Inspector’s decision to wait until Library parking was in place and safe access for all users could be assured was certainly the right one. Please look at the Library web site www.westwoodlibrary.org for upcoming announcements.

Spring Library Project News

Progress on the new Westwood Public Library is nearly complete inside the building. The majority of the remaining work consists of exterior tasks including paving, curbing, landscaping, etc. This phase of the project will not begin until the winter weather is behind us and the Colburn School is moved to its new location on the site of the former library. We believe the Colburn will move sometime in April. Coffman Realty of Brockton has purchased the school and is now preparing a new foundation. We are working to coordinate the final stages of the Library project with the on-going Colburn work on the adjacent property. The Town’s commitment to finding a use for the 1876 school building will result in a great addition to High Street and the community. Having said that, no one should underestimate the time and effort required by all parties to make this a reality. The Town’s Permanent Building Committee has done an excellent job managing the project. All of us on the Project Management side are committed to ensuring that this is a quality building. Thanks to the PBC, the Town Finance Department and DTI, our Project Managers, I can assure you that the project budget is in very good shape. We investigated the possibility of opening the new Library before completing our remaining site work with the Town’s Building Inspector and the Traffic Safety Officer from the Westwood Police Department. They reviewed the exterior library work schedule and the construction activity on the Colburn site. They concluded that until we can provide parking, handicapped access and a safe way for the public to enter the building it would be unwise to open before these things are completed. Library staff continue to set-up the radio frequency identification (RFID) system that will make managing the heavy volume of circulating materials more efficient. We are also busy with computer and network installation. Finally, staff training on these new systems is on-going. I am pleased that town residents are utilizing library services at the Islington Branch Library with its expanded six day a week schedule.

New Library Progress

The project is approximately 95% complete. The new library will open after the Colburn School is moved to its new location and traffic access is completed. The Colburn will move through the library parking lot to the site of the former library. Unfortunately, several unanticipated issues have delayed the move. Weather permitting, we expect this to happen sometime in January. The other major remaining library projects include setting up technology infrastructure and new computers, installing our wireless Internet network, and completing the sound and projection equipment work. The general contractor is working on the inside punch list: finishing front entry access; installing circulation desk counter tops; and completing the lighting systems and exterior work. We continue to put radio frequency identification tags into each item in the collection. The RFID system will allow us to handle the half million annual transactions more efficiently. The automated sorter machinery has been installed and library staff is being trained in its operation. The RFID controlled sorter checks-in each returned item, activates security and distributes them into designated bins. Once open to the public, public parking will be on a temporary surface. The final landscaping work and parking lot paving, including the land where the Colburn now rests, will be done in the spring. The Library Trustees and I thank you for your support and patience as the building project nears completion.

Main Library Closing Date Announced

The Westwood Main Library will soon close for several weeks to prepare for the move into its new building. The last day for the public to use the forty-three year old facility is Thursday, October 18. The new main library, located next to the current building, is scheduled to open sometime in January. Library Director Tom Viti said the move should be completed by early November. “We are working with an experienced library moving company and are confident they will do an excellent job,“ Viti said. Biblio Tech of Connecticut will move an estimated 80,000 books along with files, computers, and some art work. The Islington Branch Library will be open six days a week to provide services during the interim period. Library patrons who have requested books or other materials may pick them up at the Branch or other libraries in the Minuteman Library Network. The complete schedule and other information for patrons will be available soon at the Library website, www.westwoodlibrary.org People may return library materials at either the Branch or at a drop-off bin on High Street, in front of the current library. Following the move, the old library will be cleaned of hazardous materials and then demolished. In December the Colburn School will be moved to the old library site and renovations will begin on the 1876 building. The new main library won Town approval in 2010. The 32,000 square foot library project is financed by the Town, private donations, and a $4 million grant from the Mass Board of Library Commissioners.

Progress on the Library Project

This June the General Contractor’s progress on the new library reached the 75% completion mark. The Town recently received its third grant payment from the Mass Board of Library Commissioners Public Library Construction Grant Program. To date we have received $3.3 million in state funding, which is 90% of our total grant award. Exterior site work is underway with the construction of a low stone wall that runs parallel to High Street. We have hopes that the stone lintel from the original 1901 building, now part of the entrance area of the current library, can be moved intact and incorporated in the new wall. You can expect to see the project trailer removed sometime in July to allow for further site work. Work is now focused on light installation on first floor. The impressive wood and metal ceilings are beginning installation. Bathroom tile work is underway. Exterior gutter, downspout, flashing, and chimney work are all ongoing. We are awaiting delivery dates for carpet, furnishings, and shelving. The Library staff toured the building in early May. Fresh paint and wood trim made the rooms and offices look very inviting. The staff was delighted with the size of the new Children’s Department and especially the inviting children’s program room. The Library’s book and audio-visual materials collection is being “tagged” item by item to enable our new radio frequency identification (RFID) system to more efficiently manage the circulation of materials. Two book chutes, one outside the building and one in the inside lobby area, will connect returned materials to an automatic conveyor and sorting system. Eight Minuteman Network libraries are using RFID technology. Westwood will be the first to use the auto sort system.

Springtime News on Library Project

The General Contractor for the new library reached a completion mark of 69% on March 30. While most of the construction activity has moved inside the building, the exterior glass, masonry, and roof work has continued to make progress. The outside of the building is now much closer to its finished appearance and the architects’ design looks great.

Inside the sheetrock and trim work is ongoing. The above ceiling mechanical and electrical work is substantially complete. The metal and wood ceiling grid installation has begun and finished panel work will follow shortly. Boiler room work is almost done with some piping remaining. The electricians began installing light fixtures in March.

The Library staff got their first tour of the building in early March. There has been noticeable progress since then with all rooms and departments now clearly defined. The staff was especially impressed with how the second floor skylights and windows created such open and inviting spaces.

The bid awards for furniture, seating, shelving, carpet, and other interior finishes have been finalized. Many of the items were purchased from the State bid list. I am grateful to the committee of staff, Trustees, and town residents who gave their time to help our designers. I believe that people will find the Library a very attractive and comfortable space.

The Library staff has begun the process of tagging the entire collection to enable our radio frequency identification system to more efficiently manage the circulation of materials. This work will continue after the main library has closed and while the paving, landscaping and parking lot construction is completed. On a related note, the Library and its project team have developed plans to add parking, 12 spaces in total, on the spot where the Colburn School now rests. The plans will be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Boards.

Library Project Progress & Timeline

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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 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

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.