Grand Re-Opening
This weekend the library trustees and foundation members hosted our re-opening events. Staff worked hard to make the library look its best and put the paint brushes away minutes before the first guests arrived. On Saturday evening, village dignitaries and donors celebrated during an after-hours event. On Sunday, the library was opened for a community wide celebration which included a mini-book sale hosted by the Friends of the Hinsdale Library. Photos are being uploaded to the library’s website.
You can see the project web-scrapbook at http://www.hinsdalelibrary.info
We are delighted to bring the community these wonderful new spaces -
Lynn
Almost Done!
The final moves are taking place this week. The adult fiction collection has been relocated to new shelving, the Teen Area is about a day away from opening and staff are moving into renovated work spaces. Phones and computers are on carts waiting for installation.
Meanwhile, the business of operating the library carries on. Patrons sit in new furniture, use new equipment, browse through new stack areas, sidestep construction workers as if nothing is happening.
Working through this renovation project has been like living in two parallel worlds - patrons and construction workers in the same space at the same time, but mostly ignoring each other.
I think staff will miss our new friends the carpenters, electricians, plumbers, painters and others as we settle back in to our library routines.
The end is definitely in sight -
Lynn
The Beginning of the End
As the temporary construction walls come down and the space on the main level re-opens, you start to get a feel for the expanded spaces and can visualize all the collections in their new spaces. It’s amazing to think that the library has transformed itself in just over a year. New colors, new furniture, a new entrance way all add to the overall feeling of newness. Staff are settling in to new work areas, patrons have quickly found new locations for their favorite collections and while we still have some work to do, the beginning of the end is easily seen.
The Adult Fiction Collection will be moving at the end of January and is our last big move. We look forward to getting everything into its proper place and then as is likely, we’ll look around and say, “Hey, what about moving it over there?” Funny.
Lynn
What a Difference a Day Makes
The library took a couple of “snow days” this week to swap out furniture and move things around. The remaining existing furniture was moved out on Monday, and the new arrivals showed up in a truck so big, it took 15 minutes and lots of direction from ground crew members to back it into the driveway.
When we re-opened yesterday at 5:00pm - with about 20 anxious people waiting at the door - there were lots of “oohs” and “aahs” and the question we are all used to hearing now, “Where did you put the….?”
Trustees came in later for a meeting and liked what they saw too. What a difference a day makes. Come see.
Lynn
Self Check Out
Circulation staff are encouraging borrowers to try out the two new self-check out stations located on the main level of the library.
The Self-Check out stations help move library users through the check-out process more quickly while giving staff extra time to work with borrowers who are registering for library cards or needing special care.
Self-checking out at the library is easier than filling up with gas, getting cash from the ATM or weighing produce at the grocery store and the library always has friendly staff willing to help. Give it a try next time you’re in the library.
Lynn
Home Stretch
Phase 3 of our four phase project is near completion. During the past week the Youth Services Department has been relocated to its newly renovated spaces in the lower level. This week, the Adult Fiction collection has moved to the main level and the Quiet Room has been re-opened. By the end of the week, the library will have relocated 68,000 books and supporting staff and equipment. Everyday seems to bring a new configuration and there is a growing excitement about the way the new spaces are shaping up.
Thank you for your patience as we work through this moving phase.
Lynn
Evacuation
A new fire alarm system is being installed as part of renovation work. Several tests have been done this week. Today, the alarm activated, but not as part of testing. The building was evacuated according to procedure.
As work continues, the library may experience more unanticipated alarms or events requiring fire department assistance.
Thank you for helping staff by stopping your work and leaving as directed so that all may exit the building quickly and safely.
Lynn
Information Concierge
Recognizing that staff and materials are being relocated every few months and that visitors may have difficulty finding what they are looking for, the reference staff have created an Information Concierge position to provide assistance. Located near the elevator on the main level, the Information Concierge has become quite the thing. Patrons are greeted and given an update of new locations. The Concierge walks patrons to new spaces or hands out updated floor plans or even says, “Wait here, I’ll just run and grab that for you.” We like the position so much, we think we will keep it even when the project is finished. Come to the library and see how well it works.
Lynn
Next Moves
Beginning Monday, July 25, the library will be installing new wireless capabilities for our public access computers as part of our next phase of renovations. The computers are also being relocated to the following locations:
Youth Services computers are moving to the first floor around the elevator and in the Quiet Reading Room.
Adult access computers are moving upstairs to the 2nd floor.
Public access computers will remain in these location through mid-October when the 4th and final phase of the renovations begins.
Lynn
Periodicals Living With Travel Books
Who knew that Periodicals and Travel Books were so compatible? Early this morning, the current periodicals were moved from the Quiet Reading Room to the Travel Section where they will live together through the next phase of the construction project.
Travel graciously shifted giving enough room for periodicals to be laid flat on the shelves without too much crowding.
A nice arrangement.
Lynn