It has been a busy week at the library site with concrete transport trucks arriving to finish setting basement walls. The basement will house the heating and cooling systems of the building and house some of the IT equipment.
The contractors are keeping on schedule and are doing a fantastic job. Utilities have been roughed in in the basement, stem wall transition and automated handling system footings are being set, and large rock and debris are being moved off site. The handling system is part of equipment that will automatically and immediately check in and sort materials as patrons return them. It will enable customers to see if their cards are clear and if any items need to be renewed. There is continued review and approving of shop drawings for fabrication of the structural steel components including columns, beams, joists and steel decking.
Springville is lucky to be building in this economic climate. Not only is it employing a significant number of tradesmen, we have the good fortune to be working with some of the best architects and constructions companies in this part of the country.
Although the building will be funded through the 2008 library bond, the library is in need of donations to purchase computers and other up-to-date technology, new books and audio/visual materials, and part of the furnishings. Individual, family, and business donations make a very significant difference in the quality of materials and services when a new library is being built.

August 12, 2010
This afternoon approximately 140 yds. of concrete was trucked to the site as two basement walls were set. This seems like a milestone to me.
You can observe continued screening of the dirt to take out large rocks in preparation to backfill the basement and set the stage for the main floor of the building. Sewer and underground plumbing is complete, a sorter tunnel dug for future equipment that will automatically check in and sort materials as patrons return them, the west elevator pit is formed and digging is being done to allow for north/south power lines to be lowered and placed underground.
The construction tasks are very visible at this juncture so it is a good time for those who like big trucks and equipment to get a close-up view of how things are done. Construction is on schedule.
Library News: Children’s programming begins in September. We just received a large order of new fiction material so an excellent selection will be on the floor in a few days. Thanks to all of you, and especially our high school youth council, who made up a successful summer reading program. More than twice as many residents participated this year! Keep on reading.

construction updates

July 20, 2010
Westside of basement excavation is complete. Excavation of site to lay supports is being finished in main building area. The waterline from building to Center St. has been connected and is functioning. Concrete crews have visited the site and pre-tying of rebar for footings has begun.
The property site has been expanded to include the entire block area south of the proposed building. Work in that area will begin the first week of August. Power lines will be dropped and buried along the north south line along Hobble Creek. Fiber lines will also be moved to the east side of lot so they are out of the parking lot area.
Drawings for expanded parking lot and improved access to the drive-up drop box are complete and waiting final approval. This project is finally feeling real.

July 1, 2010
Existing basement is being backfilled. Excavation of the partial basement , which will house heating and computer functions, continues. The soil being removed is shifted to remove large rocks and debris and concrete from previous structures.
Trenches for sewer lines run north and south as Jacobsen ties lines to manhole on Center St. Two barrels of materials and two sump pumps have been found, tested, and removed from site.

June 1, 2010
Crowds crossed Main St to celebrate ground breaking for the new public library. Clouds cleared and rain dissipated in time for supporters to participate in this long awaited event. Councilmember Mark Packard greeted the group. Jim Weber spoke of the efforts of many who worked toward passage of a library bond of $9.8 million. Councilman Phil Bird shared his early experience of being banned from the library as a teen who broke the rules by playing chess in the library. Times have changed, Phil—we would now cheer you on.

Pam Vaughn, the library director, related several positive comments from patrons. Mayor Clyde had the children come to the front stating, “This is the reason we are building a new library.” He encouraged community members to open their hearts and wallets even wider so there will be funds to furnish the new building.

June 1 Groundbreaking Ceremony

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new library will be on June 1, 2010 at 3pm at the corner of Center and Main streets. Please join us for this exciting event.

These are the latest renderings of the new library. Notice the change in brick color and other more subtle changes such as the removal of the "fins" on the entrance, changes in some windows, and more.



Panoramic View showing Center and Main Streets.


Southeast View




Northwest View




Southwest View

Demolition

Demolition of the old buildings on the east side of Main St. is complete. The excavation will remain open , but protected, in preparation for digging the new library foundation. Eight contractors were selected, from a request for qualifications, to bid on the new facility. The construction bid will be awarded the first week in May.

Plans for the library and surrounding areas call for a modification of Hobble Creek. The west wall of the creek will be widened and lowered to create a better connection with the building, parking spaces will be increased, there will be more light in the building, and computers will be increased and divided into age-appropriate areas. The library has been carefully planned to make areas and items easy to find and navigate.

New Library Renderings 10/23/2009

These renderings are preliminary. Brick and other materials are subject to change. The building will feature brick and stone from local quarries. The building was designed from the inside out. Efficient and attractive interior spaces and ease of movement through the building were highest priorities. That and the overwhelming demand for many windows led to the current design. Here are some of the exciting features of this design:

• As a response to popular demand, floor to ceiling windows on the east side of the building offering views of the creek and the mountains.
• Comfortable seating in designated quiet areas placed near windows and other attractive areas.
• Meeting rooms and adult spaces which are separate from children and teen areas.
• Quiet, enclosed (but still visible) computer areas.
• Round area on corner of Main St. and Center St. is children's reading area. This feature allows pedestrians outside the building to see the light, colors and activities happening inside the building.
• The design intentionally brings natural light into the building while maintaining a connection to beautiful outdoor surroundings.
  

We invite your comments.