20080116

It is 2008. Do you know where our library is?

On January 15, 2008 the library staff was given a tour of the new library under construction. The tour began in the area between the library and building A, where there will eventually be a sidewalk. Along the sidewalk there will be rain gardens to collect site water runoff. Both surface runoff and roof/downspout water will be slowed by the rain gardens to slow the rate at which water enters the city's system.

Inside the library we were able to see under the access floor. Air delivery from the mechanical room below the library will come heated from the geothermal system and be delivered through the access floor. There will be inherent cooling from the geothermal system, as well as heating, dependent on need -- much the way a heat pump system works in residential buildings.

The access floor will allow facilitate a kind of plug-n-play since the cabling under the access floor can be rerouted depending on need above floor level.

Spaces within the library are now discernible, although some spaces were only demarcated by a 2x4 on the access floor. It is easier now to visualize where the photocopy area, circulation desk, offices, library classroom, periodical reading area, etc. will be located.

The views from inside continue to be spectacular! The day was clear and we could see across the Strait of Juan de Fuca to Canada.

The projected completion date is July 2008.