Shelving Goes Up!

By the end of the day, Tuesday, June 26, about half of the shelving was up in the new AMBS Library. It took some time on Monday to get started. The pallets of old AMBS shelving had to be brought from the the storage container out by the Lambright Center with the tractor forklift. The AMBS summer crew brought up posts from the basement that had been cleaned and sorted last winter by volunteers.

The old AMBS shelving is in about three different styles and colors. Finding the right pieces to make ten section rows all the same style and color was the first challenge. By Tuesday morning, volunteer Virgil Claassen was leading a crew putting up AMBS shelving in the north east wing of the library and this area was completed by the end of the day. He was assisted by volunteers Dave Bertsche and Al Longenecker and by AMBS student, Craig Neufeld. Recent graduates Audrey Ratzlaff and Sara Leaman have become expert shelf assemblers.

A shipment of used shelving had arrived from California a week earlier. Hallett Mover Al Partin had frames of this shelving laid out in the south wing by early Monday. However, it wasn't until Tuesday morning that Al found the essential support brackets for erecting this shelving. By the end of the day on Tuesday, eight rows were erected for the audiovisual collection and back periodicals. Al was assisted by volunteer Bill Swartzentruber and student Pauline Thompson.
Joe Smith and the AMBS summer crew have provided critical support with shelves and cleaning.

We expect to complete most of the shelving by Friday, right on schedule.

Sample Table and Shelving

On Thursday, June 21, Gary Clarin of Meilahn Manufacturing brought a sample of the custom tables that are being built for the library. The table has a cherry base with black detailing to coordinate with the library panelling. The work surface is linoleum, sturdy and attractive for writing. Sarah Piller, interior designer of the Troyer Group is examining the table with Gary.

June 19 a truckload of used shelving arrived from California and was moved into the reference area of the new library. Later in the week the summer crew brought up from the basement the support posts that have been stored down there since spring 2006. The posts were cleaned and supported this spring by our SOOP volunteers.

A major change will happen in the new library June 25-27 as all the shelving will be erected by under the supervision of Al Partin of Hallett Library Movers. The work crew includes AMBS students, friends and volunteers.

Special Collections Moved to New Library

On Saturday, June 9, Eileen Saner moved rare and fragile books from the storage room across from the library photocopier to the special collections room in the new library. Some uncataloged Studer Bibles were moved into the glass case by Ted Koontz's office. AV equipment and other miscellaneous storage items were moved across the hall to Room 305, the former small group study room. Room 305 is limited to library staff use for the remainder of the summer. The room beside it has several chairs and may be used for small group conversation. Consult with a librarian if you wish to view a video.

Emptying the old library storage room prepares that space for renovations in the near future. An exterior window will be installed by workers from DJ Construction. Janeen Bertsche Johnson is slated to occupy this office.

Studer Cases Moved From North Hallway

In early June, Lois Longenecker and Joe Smith (summer crew) emptied the glass cases in the north hallway. Don Steider, Matt Tschetter and Joe moved the cabinets down the old library stairwell and into the east room of the new library basement storage area. Lois and Joe then filled the cabinets with Studer Bibles.

The old library bookstack area is now divided into two large rooms with a hallway in between that connects to the original entrance. The east room will be used for closed storage of library materials. The gold shelving now in the old library reading room will eventually be erected in this room. Some old library tables in this area will to provide space for sorting and organizing. Cataloged materials that are kept in this storage area will be identified in the online catalog and may be requested from a librarian.

This room will normally not be open for public use. However, researchers may be given permission to work in the room on special projects.

The Bookstore: First User of the New Building

In late May the bookstore staff moved nonessential books into the store in the new building. Until the end of June, the bookstore will provide full services from only one room in the south hall adjacent to the Chapel of the Word. Renovations of Waltner Hall will begin in late June when workers from DJ Construction cut a window in the east room of the old bookstore so that it can be renovated into an office for Barb Nelson Gingerich.

The bookstore staff is planning to move into its new store in early July if permission is granted to occupy the building. (Bookstore move is now scheduled for late July. 6/23/07)

Library Move Information

The new AMBS Library is close to completion and the move has begun. The library staff is prepared for many changes, transitions and surprises. This blog will provide current information on the status of the library.