Library Board Receives Entrance Renovation Update
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
The Warsaw Community Public Library is working to improve safety and accessibility to its library for visitors.
The WCPL Board of Trustees received an update on the library's entrance renovations during its meeting Monday.
Bob Wade, of Scearce Rudisel Architects Inc., showed design plans of the proposed entrance renovations and updated the board on interior stairway improvements.
Wade said he has met with interior designers to look at new terrazzo tile for the library's interior.
"This is the same tile that is used there now, but the existing seal has cracked over the years and needs to be replaced," Wade said.
He said design plans also include a copper tone roof to compliment the gold letters identifying the building and make the new entrance stand out.
The board voted at its Nov. 13 meeting in support of a building proposal that will include moving the library's entrance to the east and west side of the facility to keep weather elements from getting into the facility. The current entrance faces north.
The project also will include a new sets of stairs and an overhang that will protect the current book drop-off site.
Library Director Ann Zydek said the library has saved funds in its capital projects fund over the past three years that will help finance the project.
The approximate cost of the project is $150,000.
The project will include building a vestibule that will assist the library in safety concerns with pedestrians entering and exiting the library in relation to current traffic patterns, and help keep poor weather elements out of the building.
A vestibule is a passage way acting as an air lock between two environments.
"As people come in and out of the current entrance our one set of stairs are deteriorating and cold weather comes in the front door," Zydek said.
Also during the meeting, Gordon A. Van Marter, president of Criterium-Van Marter Engineers, presented the library's property condition assessment.
The assessment was conducted Aug. 22 and Sept. 18 by the firm at Zydek's request.
The purpose of the assessment was to determine the current condition of the building, paved areas, utilities, site improvements and establishing a preliminary capital reserve for the future.
The report contains a description of the overall condition of the building and information about the library's deficiencies based on a visual survey of the building and grounds and conversations with library employees.
"In general the condition of the building is good, but we found some small issues of immediate concern regarding anticipated capital expenditures and general maintenance items," Marter said.
The report stated some of the issues to address over time include renovating the library's main entrance, developing plans for changes in lobby and circulation to eliminate noise level, and provide better access and installing an interior conveyor system for the front book drop.
Some of the repair suggestions from the assessment include repairing a concrete patio area on the west side of the building where it has developed some cracks in the surface, and replacing the library's humidification system.
"The report helps us know what we are doing well at the library and what we need to look to improve," Zydek said.
Zydek also presented a long range strategic plan for WCPL for 2006-11.
During 2006, assigned task forces met and explored key priorities and goals adopted by the library's board of trustees in improving services such as entertainment, information and education.
The board also approved a slate of officers for 2007 that are the same as 2006 and will be voted on during the board's January meeting. [[In-content Ad]]
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The Warsaw Community Public Library is working to improve safety and accessibility to its library for visitors.
The WCPL Board of Trustees received an update on the library's entrance renovations during its meeting Monday.
Bob Wade, of Scearce Rudisel Architects Inc., showed design plans of the proposed entrance renovations and updated the board on interior stairway improvements.
Wade said he has met with interior designers to look at new terrazzo tile for the library's interior.
"This is the same tile that is used there now, but the existing seal has cracked over the years and needs to be replaced," Wade said.
He said design plans also include a copper tone roof to compliment the gold letters identifying the building and make the new entrance stand out.
The board voted at its Nov. 13 meeting in support of a building proposal that will include moving the library's entrance to the east and west side of the facility to keep weather elements from getting into the facility. The current entrance faces north.
The project also will include a new sets of stairs and an overhang that will protect the current book drop-off site.
Library Director Ann Zydek said the library has saved funds in its capital projects fund over the past three years that will help finance the project.
The approximate cost of the project is $150,000.
The project will include building a vestibule that will assist the library in safety concerns with pedestrians entering and exiting the library in relation to current traffic patterns, and help keep poor weather elements out of the building.
A vestibule is a passage way acting as an air lock between two environments.
"As people come in and out of the current entrance our one set of stairs are deteriorating and cold weather comes in the front door," Zydek said.
Also during the meeting, Gordon A. Van Marter, president of Criterium-Van Marter Engineers, presented the library's property condition assessment.
The assessment was conducted Aug. 22 and Sept. 18 by the firm at Zydek's request.
The purpose of the assessment was to determine the current condition of the building, paved areas, utilities, site improvements and establishing a preliminary capital reserve for the future.
The report contains a description of the overall condition of the building and information about the library's deficiencies based on a visual survey of the building and grounds and conversations with library employees.
"In general the condition of the building is good, but we found some small issues of immediate concern regarding anticipated capital expenditures and general maintenance items," Marter said.
The report stated some of the issues to address over time include renovating the library's main entrance, developing plans for changes in lobby and circulation to eliminate noise level, and provide better access and installing an interior conveyor system for the front book drop.
Some of the repair suggestions from the assessment include repairing a concrete patio area on the west side of the building where it has developed some cracks in the surface, and replacing the library's humidification system.
"The report helps us know what we are doing well at the library and what we need to look to improve," Zydek said.
Zydek also presented a long range strategic plan for WCPL for 2006-11.
During 2006, assigned task forces met and explored key priorities and goals adopted by the library's board of trustees in improving services such as entertainment, information and education.
The board also approved a slate of officers for 2007 that are the same as 2006 and will be voted on during the board's January meeting. [[In-content Ad]]