Friends of the Library

CONSTRUCTION

Continue to check this page for updates to your library's exciting renovation and construction project!

Construction Photos:

Visit the Belen Library on Flickr for recent construction photos. Click here.

Updates:
(Prepared based on information provided by Beverly McFarland, Library Director.)

February 26, 2008 - Grand Opening

Your newly renovated and expanded library was the center of attention on Tuesday, February 26, when a ribbon cutting and open house was staged to show it off to the community. The 10 am ribbon cutting was followed by the 2-hour open house, which included refreshments, tours of the library, a mariachi band, an ongoing slide show documenting library construction, and The Cat in the Hat. Many elected officials, the state librarian, library board members, and scores of citizens attended the lively event, hosted by library staff and the Friends. For more information and photos from the occasion, visit www.flickr.com/photos/belenpubliclibrary/

January 02, 2008

The Library received a permanent occupancy permit today and will re-open tomorrow (Thursday, January 3). Please note that Becker Street is closed in front of the Library, so use the alley between 3^rd and 4^th Streets to access the library parking lot. Walk around to the front door to enter your new facility!

December 27, 2007

The final walk through of the near-completed facility should occur any day now! The contractor is making every effort to get the library open in early January. Most of the doors are keyed, but staff is waiting for hardware on the Children’s Library and Lecture Hall. Electricians finally got the floor plugs working. Library staff is also waiting for an order from the public computing vendor to get all of the workstations up and running, but most of them are ready to go. For more pictures of library furnishings, visit the Library's Flickr account.

November 13, 2007

Thanks to the Friends of the Library for your timely help last week. This week (12-16 Nov.) we're busy getting ready for the furniture delivery, so we won't need Friends help. Next week we have only three days to work (19-20 Nov.), so we'll be focusing on other systems that need to be brought up before we can open, such as ordering bathroom supplies, setting up the cleaning service, setting up 40 computer workstations, etc.

On Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 26 and 27, we'll need volunteers to pack up the temporary library at the Recreation Center . The shelving will need to be broken down and everything moved to the Becker Library. The City will do the actual moving. Any volunteers who would like to see the Library with NEW furniture can come to the Becker Library after their shift and we’ll give them a tour. To volunteer, call Pat Boyle, Friends President, at (505)861-7067.

On Wednesday, Nov. 28, the shelving from the temporary library will be assembled at the Becker Library.

By Thursday, Nov. 29, we should be ready for those Friends who delight in bringing order to the world by shelving library books. The 10,000 books from the temporary library will need to be interfiled with the 30,000 books now shelved at the Becker Library. To volunteer, call Pat Boyle, Friends President, at 861-7067. It should be lots of fun and not too stressful, PLUS cold drinks and cookies will be provided!

November 08, 2007

Things are really moving along! Starting Friday, November 9, the Recreation Department will be staffing the Computer Lab in the Community Center. Fortunately for the library, Christina Haufman has been transferred from the Recreation Department for the newly created Children’s Specialist position. Interviews to fill the Outreach Librarian position were Wednesday, November 7. The library should be back to a full staff in a couple of weeks.

The subcontractors continue to knock off the items on the punch list. Still to occur: the final walk through on the outside of the building, and obtaining locks and keys as well as the occupancy permit. The old phone system is up and running, the network is functioning, and Protection One has completed the security system. The security system has motion detectors, glass breaks, and five cameras.

The Friends came to the rescue of a beleaguered staff this week and got the stored collection unboxed, on the shelves, and in order. I am waiting for a firm date on our furniture delivery to stage the closure of the Bookstop.

November 02, 2007

Beverly McFarland, Director of the Belen Public Library, reports that books have been moved out of portables storage into the new library, and the temporary library is almost out of the Community Center. At the present time, staff is working to put workspaces back in order, get stored equipment returned, sort out the shelving, get the security system, network, and phone system operational, and learn how to manage the new lighting, plumbing, and security systems. The contractor is working on the final punch list, so the occupancy permit and keys have not been issued yet. Additionally, three new employees are being hired and trained!

October 03, 2007

We are down to the nitty gritty on the library construction project now! The plumbing and fire protection systems have passed final inspections, and the electrical system inspection is set for Friday. Once all three systems have passed final inspection, then the project is subject to the Building Inspector's approval. After approval, a definite move back time can be set.

The library will have the same kind of interior signage system as the Community Center. This means a small sign will identify each room. And finally, the exterior ironwork is going up.

September 19, 2007

The contractor hopes to get a number of inspections done and most of the sub-contractors off site by the end of next week. Due to a few delays, the library staff move-back date has been changed to Oct. 15 and may change again. Once the library project finishes, Becker Street will be closed from 60 to 90 days for its own reconstruction, which will complete the infrastructure upgrades and landscaping to match the first two blocks of Becker.

September 14, 2007

Library renovation and construction is going well, and completion is now estimated for early October. It is anticipated this will occur before the beginning of the next phase of the Becker Street project (which includes the library block).

The tile is set in the coffee lounge and is being completed in the restrooms. Efforts are underway to get the outdoor reading patio gate secured. Landscaping is also underway, and the masons are still working. The large shelving units have been returned from storage, and their set-up is ongoing.

Library staff is working on a tentative timeline for moving back into the library. Volunteers from the Friends of the Library will be needed in early November to pack up the Bookstop on South Main and integrate it into the rest of the collection. A grand opening won't be held until the latest portion of the Becker Street project is completed, optimistically sometime in December.

By the time library phone lines are moved on Oct. 22, most of the Library staff will be in the new library, and the books and furniture in storage should be delivered. At that time, hours at the two temporary locations will be reduced. New furniture should arrive Nov. 3.

August 24, 2007

The contractor is still on schedule and we have set a TENTATIVE reopen date of Thursday, Nov. 15.

August 08, 2007

At this point we are only a couple of weeks behind schedule, but there is a complication. The City has found the funding to complete both sides of Becker Street for the Becker Street project. (Originally only our side of the street was going to be done at this time.) This involves bringing electrical to the other side of the street, replacing the water main, creating diagonal parking in front of Infinity High, and more.

Most of you will remember just how long the first phase of the Becker Street project took. We definitely want to get back in before the City has to tear up the road. The current plan is to get a certificate of occupancy for the library before Becker Street goes under construction. Patrons would still have access to the library from the 4^th Street entrance. We may need to give up our loading zone for a temporary handicapped parking space. Any number of inspectors could nix this idea, so keep your fingers crossed!

August 07, 2007

Our pretty brick façade is on the way! The pilasters will have a brick façade as well as the entrance around the Library. There will be wrought iron fencing between the pilasters in front of the outdoor patio and a wrought iron gate that will be closed to secure the area after hours. Look closely at recent photos on the Flickr site to see some of the diagonal parking curbs in front of the Library. This area has not been paved yet. Construction created another water break on Becker, but the City's water crew took care of it. If you see them around town, give them a big "thank you"!

July 25, 2007

Things are going well with library construction. The place is a beehive of activity right now, and it’s very exciting! The carpet is being installed: gold, maroon, and green, with a different pattern for each area of the library. The four casework shelves for the Friends’ sale books have been installed.

The library's interior designer and architect have designed the building with all new furniture. Originally, about half of the old furniture was to be used. Since this is no longer the case, the project is now $20,000 over budget. However, the furniture they selected will set the place off so distinctly that Sally Garley, Belen City Manager, and the Belen Mayor Ronnie Torres are looking for the additional funds. And any contributions from the Friends of the Library would be greatly appreciated.

July 25, 2007

July 20, 2007

The dry wall is up in the library addition! Lights, windows, and doors are going up in the addition and the renovated area. The outdoor patio has been poured, and flooring arrives next week. Casework will be installed before the flooring. Once the flooring arrives, the shelves will be returned to the library.

June 26, 2007

The expansion continues to take shape as the insulation, sheet rock, and scratch stucco coat are all in progress. Tomorrow, Star Paving will begin site work with the demolition of the street curb and landscapers will put in irrigation sleeves. The utility water line tap is set for later in the week. Flooring and casework begin next week with the old shelving units returning to the library soon after. Meanwhile, the old building's interior has been painted: purple, melon, green, red, and ivory. Lighting fixtures will be installed soon.

June 06, 2007

Construction workers are putting up lathe on the new portion of the library and stucco will quickly follow. The interior of the old portion of the building is taped and ready for painting.

May 29, 2007

After a recent construction progress meeting, the library passed mechanical and plumbing inspections. In the old portion of the building, the drywall is almost complete, and framing is progressing swiftly in the addition. Most of the new lighting should be installed within a week.

May 01, 2007

The library's addition and renovation project is still on track to be completed by the end of September. The installation of dry wall has started on the old building, and work on the addition has kicked into high gear. Framing of the addition should be finished this week, and the dry wall should be finished in two weeks. The vault has been extended out to the new entrance. Drive by your library and see how it's taking shape!

April 17, 2007

Things are moving forward on the library's addition. Monday, April 16, the foundation was poured, and some framing will start Wednesday, April 18. Large beams, rafters, and the roof are set for next week.

The renovation of the library has passed most of the inspections. The sprinkler system is in, and the Fire Marshall should test it Tuesday, April 17. Once the sprinkler system is tested, the drywall can go up and be readied for paint. The new foyer is already framed. The blue tile on the outside of the building has been replaced with an aluminum strip more in keeping with the new color scheme.

December 19, 2006

Despite cold and snow, a crowd of library supporters turned out on Tuesday morning, December 19, outside of the Belen Public Library to witness the official groundbreaking for the renovation and expansion of the existing building. Representatives of the City of Belen, the library board, and the Friends of the Library, as well as many others heard Mayor Ronnie Torres describe the journey of obtaining funding for construction and designing the improved structure. He also thanked the many people involved with this complicated process. Then ground was broken with gold shovels for the official kickoff of construction and renovation activities.

Groundbreaking (1, 2)

Temporary Locations:

Temporary quarters opened Wednesday, November 1, 2006:

The "Bookstop" (library books and deliveries): Belen Recreation Center, 715 S. Main. (Click for map)
Computer labs: Belen Community Center, 325 Multipurpose Rd.
Book drop: located outside the recreation center 715 S. Main.
Phone: (505) 864-7522

Design:

John Pate, chief architect for Molzen-Corbin & Associates, has designed the renovation and 6,000-square-foot addition to the Belen Public Library. The $1,550,000 is funding was provided by a special Legislative appropriation introduced by Senator Michael Sanchez and Representative Fred Luna. The Belen Public Library is located on Becker Avenue, a street earmarked for economic development by the City of Belen. The Friends of the Belen Public Library continues to raise funds for the project.

Project Schedule:

Construction should be complete in the summer of 2007, and the improved and expanded library will re-open at its original location at 333 Becker Ave. Here's the project schedule:

August 2006 - Design complete.
September 2006 - Project out for bid.
January 2007 - Construction begins.
Spring 2007 - Addition is completed.
Spring 2007 - Library moves to the addition during the renovation.
Summer 2007 - Renovation complete.

Benefits and Features:

Addition of an outdoor reading patio and Teen Library with a computer lab.
Renovation of the Children's Library that doubles its size.
Addition of a public meeting room with seating for 100 and a commercial kitchen.
Increase in the amount of available seating, user space, and books, and computers.
Provision of building access for the disabled and the addition of new ADA-compliant public restrooms.
Replacement of the leaky roof and addition of a new, energy-saving HVAC system.
Addition of an automatic sprinkler system and fire wall as required by code.
Addition of new trees, landscaping, and diagonal parking in front of the library.

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May 16, 2006

On May 12, the Planning Committee met with John Pate, library architect, and Jeremy Alford, architectural intern. The meeting addressed concerns about both the renovation of the library and its new addition. The new building will include an enterprise space that can be used as a coffee shop or Friends of the Library book sale area. There will be tables in the addition’s lobby area for reading and sipping coffee as well as a reading patio outside. The old and new patio spaces will be secured after hours. The front door will be modified to meet code, provide better security, and eliminate the existing "wind tunnel." The grounds will be redone with tall locust trees to replace the short, messy, bee-infested Japanese crabapples. A renovated lobby area will allow display of new materials and “hot” collections, permit traffic to easily flow from the entrance to the children’s library, and provide for self-check stations. The exterior of the building is awaiting mayoral approval, but it will be bricklike and have bricks integrated into portions of the building. It’s a very exciting state-of-the-art building plan.

John Pate requested that the Library be moved during construction, but City Manager Sally Garley and Mayor Ronnie Torres did not see that as a possibility. Therefore, during the renovation phase, as much as possible will be stored, and library activities will be compressed into the eastern quarter of the building. The City will locate storage for library materials and provide crews to move everything, but volunteers will be needed to pack everything.

(Prepared based on information provided by Beverly McFarland, Library Director.)

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April 29, 2006

For construction and renovation of the library, we are fortunate to be able to work with the architect who originally designed the existing building: John Pate, RA/RLA of Molzen-Corbin & Associates. Things will officially begin when we have a contract between the City and Molzen-Corbin, which should take a couple of weeks.

Sometime in May the library's Planning Committee will revalidate the design. The members of the committee are Serena Douglas, Library Board member; Donna Hernandez, Friends of the Library Treasurer; Beverly McFarland, Director of the library; and Kathryn Trujillo, Assistant Director of the library . John Pate will revise the plan after this meeting.

More input will be solicited during a Library Board meeting, and John will integrate that. Once everyone is happy with the plan, he will define materials and aspects of the project and receive more input on the details. There will be a final design review before preparing the bid documents.

Certain issues have already been defined, including:

(1) The Japanese Crabapple trees in front of the library will be removed during landscaping. Although beautiful when blooming, these are not good trees for a public building. They draw hundreds of bees, and leave crabapples on the ground that cause people to slip and fall. The City plans to replant the trees in our parks.

(2) The exterior of our building will include some brick because any new construction on Becker Avenue requires a brick façade.

(3) The Library will have closures and may even have to be relocated during construction.

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