Library work plugging along

10/01/10


By ANNE KAZMIERCZAK
Register Reporter
Yes, the Iola Public Library IS open, said Director Roger Carswell. Apparently thrown off by on-going renovation, some people believe the library is closed until the remodel is complete, he said.
Not so.
“We’ve been open all but a few days through this,” Carswell said.
Patrons just need to use the west entrance, formerly for employees only, that abuts the library parking lot.
“As of July 15 we were on track in this phase of construction to move back (into the main section of the library) around August 1. Then we had a rainstorm that just flooded in here,” Carswell said.
“That, coupled with the roofers’ request for more money held it up,” he said.
The request Carswell spoke of came from Allied Roofing Systems of Springfield, Mo., who were subcontracted by General Services Corporation of Oswego, general contractor on the library project.
A heavy downpour during the construction phase of the roof left the library — including freshly laid carpet — soaked.
Allied said they found a more complex roof system than had been expected, which led to the change order, requesting at first $30,000, then $19,530, for additional labor.
Iola commissioners refused to pay for work they said was unauthorized beforehand.
The company’s dispute lay in their contract with General Services, not the city, they argued.
The roofers dug in, refusing to continue work until the request was approved.
Ultimately, General Services told the roofers they needed to complete the job or be replaced.
“So they returned to work,” Carswell said.
“The roof, as of Monday, is certified watertight,” he said.

OTHER WORK nearing completion is the conversion of two-stall men’s and women’s restrooms into single-service units that are American with Disabilities Act compliant. Doorways needed to be widened, grab bars added and sinks lowered and cleared of piping underneath that would interfere with a wheelchair being pulled up to them, Carswell pointed out. Baby changing stations and toddler restraint seats have been added to both rooms, he said.
Energy-efficient windows were added to the north and east sides of the building.
“The south windows had been replaced previously, but the others were still original to the library’s construction,” he said.
The library’s main entryway, when returned to patron use, will direct children’s room visitors west and adult visitors east into the main library. Doors will feature automatic openers for the mobility impaired.
Ornamental woodwork between the checkout desk and main reading room was also replaced after suffering water damage from the roof leak. “It was cheaper to replace it than to repair it,” Carswell said of the blond maple slat work.
New to the library will be a coffee counter with seating and magazine and newspaper racks, where patrons can have a cup of joe and a good read. Personal laptops may be used in the area, but no electrical outlets will be provided near the self-pay coffee bar.
Patrons can also access wifi anywhere within the building, Carswell noted.
A redesigned computer center and new reading nook with a small couch and upholstered chair will also be added to the main reading room.
New carpet will be laid after the structural work is complete, Carswell said, and then “They’ll start bringing in the cabinetry to install. Throughout the building will be new paint and new lights.”
In space currently used for stacks, a meeting room for library programs, children’s programs and other such events is planned. ADA-compliant restrooms will be added adjacent to the meeting room, which will have its own entrance, allowing for use of the space after normal library hours.
The new date for completion of phase one of the library remodel is Nov. 1.
Phase two, which will include work on the genealogy and reference sections of the library, will take place thereafter.
Carswell noted that postings from throughout the renovation can be found at iolalibraryrenovation.wordpress.com

THE OVERALL project is budgeted at $839,000, Carswell said.
The largest share of the funds, $400,000, came from a Community Development Block Grant. Library savings of $95,000 — “A good share of which was a bequest which didn’t have any restrictions on its use,” — addded to the funds. Other monies came from the City of Iola.