Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Renovations in the Old Library


The electricians have begun deconstruction and rewiring in the old library workroom. The ceiling has been removed in Brent Koehn's former work area and temporary lights have been installed. Some of the wall by the old book dumbwaiter has been torn out. The dumbwaiter will be completely removed to open up more space in that area.

The constructions workers can't go any further until all AMBS stuff is out of the library. So, the push is on to remove the last pieces of shelving from the old reading room. On the right you can see the lift that will soon provide access to the Conference Room and upper office suite.

The biggest job remaining is my office. There are two problems. First, the furniture in my new office cannot be finally assembled until some missing parts arrive. Second, I have been in my current office over twenty years and I cannot move without major weeding. I have 13 file drawers jammed in that office and I need to reduce to no more than four lateral file drawers. I welcome the opportunity to clean out but it takes time since old files bring back so many memories. I definitely want to move tomorrow even if it means working off a cart in the space outside my office!

Library Open for the Fall Semester


It's been a busy two weeks since the party in the library. In that last week, the maintenance staff installed lamps on the tables and connected the power and data to the floor boxes. Construction trash was removed and final clean-up completed. Toilet paper units and soap dispensers arrived for the bathrooms. We got a cart to receive books left in the book drop by the front entrance. I have a long list of unfinished tasks but I won't bore you!

The fall semester began last week with two days of orientation and the start of classes on Thursday, September 6. Students and faculty are thrilled with the new library and are coming in droves to study here. We have lots of visitors who want to tour the facility. On Tuesday the local Central District Conference pastors met here and I showed them through the library.

Today I was finally able to take some pictures again. This is the computer lab area with adjacent study tables.