At Francis Branch on North Ironwood our construction project is on the back nine. We are racing toward an August 16 re-dedication, with a special preview party fundraiser set for August 6. Here’s the latest.
Today Reith-Riley were out in force dropping asphalt and packing it in place for the base coat of the parking lot. Tomorrow they’ll add a harder coat of more asphalt and by Friday we’ll have stripes in the parking lot. It rained a little bit today and the parking lot was steaming, which did look pretty neat. Other outside tasks going include the sprinkler system and final grading, with the expectation that landscaping are not too far behind.
Inside, nearly everything is in place, but everything that is not in place is crucial. Our new return sorter machine is installed and programmed. We have Internet, electricity, and a few telephone lines (staff only!). The furniture is here, the books are in place, and our staff are ready to return.
Still to come, we don’t yet have our self-check out machines, the public computers and printers, and full telephone service. Vending machines? No soup for you – yet. Most of our staff are still helping out at other SJCPL locations, but we are planning training for when they return. Our to-do list is shortening, and everything is falling into place here at a reasonable pace.
Perhaps you have heard that we are having a special preview party fundraiser at the branch before we open? We’re raising money for our Leighton Award Campaign. Tickets are $50 and we will have tasty hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine, music by the Billy Nicks Trio, and behind-the-scenes tours of the new branch. Another plus – all of our books and movies are here – none are currently checked out – so the selection is going to be awesome! This will not happen again in our lifetime.
The preview is on Thursday August 6, from 5:30 until 7:30. The ticket price is tax deductible and will help our library raise enough money to claim the matching grant. Please call Sigrid Schuchard at 574-282-4670 for more information.
More soon…
July 23, 2009 at 9:01 am
Joe, great update for all the inquiring minds, staff and patrons alike. It’s been very exciting to watch the exterior progress. Every RBF patron we see tells us how anxious they are for your opening! The August 6 Preview Party should be a great opportunity to see every beautiful new detail while greeting dear friends and having the very first opportunity to browse your new collection. How often do we get to do that – with wine and jazz! – at our neighborhood branch library?