Coupeville Library Expansion--Week 35--Opening Day!

Opening Day!!  March 8, 2010!   The long anticipated day has finally arrived.   The Library had been well stocked with books, periodicals, films on disk, public access computers, and children's literature during the last two weeks by the busy and hardworking library staff.  During the day, a total of 795 people visited the Library!     The scheduled opening was at 10AM and, as expected, people began arriving well before the opening hour.  The following photos are just a few of the pictures taken during the opening couple of hours.  

This will be the last update to this blog until the grand and official opening of the Library in early April.  It has been an exciting project to watch and I hope you have enjoyed the weekly updates of the expansion.

These ladies were among the first to arrive on opening day and were waiting

patiently at the rear entrance to the Libary.

At the front entrance more people were waiting as doors were opening at 10AM

As the doors opened, people began streaming in and all seemed happy and

excited by the spacious new facility.

The Library quickly became "crowded" as people circulated through the stacks

and displays.

Leslie provides information and assistance to one of the early visitors.

Assistance at the front desk as materials were checked out and new Library cards

were issued. 

Sno-Isle librarians and the Information Technology staff were on hand to assist if needed with the new

public access computers that have been installed. 

 

This lady quickly found her way to one of the public computers.  She told

me she was anxious for the Library to open so she could check her e-mail!

These Coupeville residents were enjoying the opening day activities.

These two dogs waited to be admitted to the Library but were denied access.  The

rumor was that their library cards had expired. 

A relaxed intellectual discussion in the adult reading room! 

Coupeville Library Expansion--Week 34

This week saw a flurry of activity as preparations were being made to open the Library on Monday (3/8/2010).   Just a few pictures were taken and are shown below.   I also thought it might be interesting to see some BEFORE and AFTER pictures so the last six pictures show views from three different locations around the Library -- the first, in each case, before construction began, and second just two days ago with construction complete.   Next week, I will update the blog with pictures of the opening on Monday.  

A view from the Adult Reading room of the Library.  A great place to read and enjoy the morning newspaper!

This photo shows just two of many public computer stations set in place and connected during the week.  

 

This panel show the a solar panel monitoring screen in the mechanical room in the Library.   The last digit is a little hard to read because of a reflection, but the reading is 2831 watts (2.831 kilowatts) of power being generated by the solar panels.   This power is being supplied to the Library circuits free of cost by the sun!

This stained glass artwork is located just inside and to the left of the front entrance to the Library.

It was provided as a gift from the Friends of the Freeland Library.   The work was done by David Beers

of Freeland.  

The following photos are BEFORE and AFTER pictures of the Library. 

This is a BEFORE photo of the north side of the Library before construction began.  See next photo!

And here is an AFTER photo of the north side of the Library.  This is now the main entrance to the Library.

This is a BEFORE picture of the south side of the Libary before constuction began  At this time, this was the main entrance to the Library.   See below!

This is an AFTER picture of what is now the new rear entrance to the Library.

This is a BEFORE picture of the Library taken from the open field west of the Library.  See below!

This is an AFTER photo from the west side open field now that construction is complete!

Coupeville Library Expansion--Week 33

Week 33 saw lots of activity as more books and materials arrived and were placed on shelves.  Volunteer training began in the new Community Room and wiring to the floor boxes was completed so that public computers can be installed next week.   The photos below provide the latest views of the weeks activity.  

A street side sign announces the planned opening of the Library.  Some flowers opened even though it is still

February to add color to the announcement. 

  

                      

This bronze Coon Cat will welcome visitors to the Library.  The Cat was created by Georgia Gerber and the Japanese Black Walnut table on which the Cat sits was created by Gary Leake.   Both artists are well know in the area and the combination is a great addition to the Library.  The exhibit was provided by the Friends of the Library. 

                   

Everyone is envious of the director's (Leslie's) office and particularly of her new double screen computer!

                        

This happy and hardworking group of dedicated librarians spent the week getting the Library ready for the opening.  From left to right are Beck Bolte, Marie Byars, Leslie Bakker, Laurie King, and Leslie Franzen.

                   

Tables were set up in the Community Room during the week to get ready for the training of volunteers who will be assisting in the Library.   The mobile console in the center of the photo between the tables is new and provides projection for power point presentations.    The screen is just visible on the left side of the photo and extends down from ceiling.

Coupeville Library Expansion--Week 32

Most of the changes at the Library in Week 32 centered around the exterior landscaping.   That work is nearly complete and the photos below chronical the progress and provide some views of the entire building from the north side where the front entrance is now located.   Books and furniture are being moved into the building and next week the blog will be devoted to the building interior.

This photo shows the completed rain garden near the front entrance to the Library.   The plants used will absorb the rain water run-off from the building.

This photo shows the sidewalk railing and plantings that have been installed along the handicap access sidewalk to the front door of the Library.  

Landscape plantings have been placed in a small area near the back (south side) entrance to the Library.  They look small now but will soon grow to create a pleasant view for those patrons using the rear parking lot and entrance to the building.   

 

On the west side of the building some trees have been planted and are supported with stakes until they become well rooted.  The rain garden on this side of the building is also shown. 

Here is another view of the planted west side rain garden.  Of course, the plants will grow and absorb water run-off from the building and parking lot and will provide a pleasant view from the open field west of the building. 

The lighted walkway from the front entrance of the Library to the open field and parking lot west of the Library provides an additional opportunity for landscaping and decorative trees. 

This tractor has been used throughout the week leveling and grading the area before the plantings were put in place.  Not shown here is the street entrance to the open field west of the Library.  This entrance is now graded with crushed rock and is located along the north Library lot boundary on town property.  

This photo is one of three views of the completed Library taken from the north side of the building toward the front entrance. 

Another view of the Library taken from the street entrance at the front of the Library.

And finally, another photo of the front entrance of the Library from the sidewalk that leads north to the Coupeville wharf area.  

Coupeville Library Expansion--Week 31

Week 31 and our new Library has become a LIBRARY!   Yes, books arrived and have been placed on the shelves in the stacks area.   Almost all of the general contractors equipment and temporary buildings have disappeared although outside landscaping remains to be completed.  Inside, shelving is being installed and when I stopped by on Friday (today), I met Mark Humphrey and Mike DeWitt from Accurate Installation and Design. (See photo  below).  They were busy providing a professional touch to the installation of lots of shelving and were making good progress.   The photos below will bring you up-to-date as we get ever closer to opening the remodeled and expanded Coupeville Library.  

Books began arriving on Monday and here is the first view of the new stacks with books in place.  Furniture in the open spaces that remain will arrive later. 

Books have been placed on shelves in the Children's area.  The sun was streaming in the west windows when this picture was taken.  While some shading will likely be needed, the sun was particularly pleasant on an otherwise cool day after several days of clouds and rain.  

Still another picture of the newly shelved books taken from the teen area on the west side of the building.

This photo shows some new rolling shelving that will be available as needed throughout the library. 

And here are those hardworking cabinet and shelving installers from Accurate Installation and Design.  Mark Humphrey and Mike DeWitt obviously take pride in their work.  Here they are installing some shelving cabinets in the Adult Reading Room;.  

 

And finally, what Library would be complete without the copy machine that arrived mid-week!

Coupeville Library Expansion--Week 30

Week 30 has been another week of exciting changes at the Library.  Stacks and wall shelving has been installed, the sliding door between the main library area and the Community Room has been installed, windows have been cleaned, and landscaping work outside has begun.   The photos that follow show some of the progress. 

Stacks were installed early in the week.  Open areas remain where computers will be installed for use by those visiting the Library

This photo is a view into the Children's room showing shelving installed along the wall.

Another view of the stacks looking from the Adult Reading Room into the staff work area. 

The sliding door separating the Community Room from the main area of the Library finally arrived!  In this photo, Ken, Dan and Darren work to install the large door panels.   This view is from the Community Room looking toward main library space. 

Installation of  the sliding door separating the Community Room and main library is complete in this photo.  The photo is taken from the main library looking toward the Community Room.  The heavy door slides very easily on rollers riding on a track at the bottom of the door.  

Outside, a walkway from the back of the Library to the open field west of the Library has been completed.  Grass on either side of the walkway will complete landscaping in this area.   The walkway will provide easy access to the Farmer's market during the summer months. 

In this photo one of the windows is being cleaned.   This lady agreed to the photo provided she didn't have to look at the camera!

And finally this photo shows the hardworking committee that has been meeting almost weekly to monitor and provide guidance as the project progressed.   From left to right,  Darren Leyenhorst and Ken Helms, Faber Construction, General Contractor, Jeanne Crisp, Sno Isle Libraries, Stig Carlson, Architect, and Jim Theel, Community representative for the project.   Missing in this photo are Rebecca Loney, Sno Isle Libraries and John Bolte, Community Representative.