Construction Progress Video

Domenic Trichilo, our project’s General Contractor from Maystar Construction, talks with Doug Gilmour, Facilities Planning Engineer from the Region of Waterloo, about the underground parking garage progress and next steps.

Watch video here.

The garage portion of our library renovation project is a joint partnership between the Library, Region of Waterloo, City of Kitchener and Province of Ontario . . . and it’s coming along nicely!

The construction crews are taking a much need break for the Christmas holidays, but will be back at it in the New Year.


Follow the project’s progress in photos at:
http://www.kpl.org/central/prg_photos.html

Read relevant project and library stories at:http://www.kpl.org/central/prg_media.html

Join in the conversation at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com\kitchenerlibrary
Twitter: www.twitter.com\kitchlibrary

Construction Photo Update

Recent aerial photographs of our construction site show the progress being made on Phase One of the underground parking garage, located at the rear of the Main Library.

The final floor (P1) of the garage is being put into place; which will be followed by the construction of the new 25,000 square foot addition on top of the this portion of the garage.

When ready, the library will temporarily move into the new addition (with underground parking) while the next phase of the project takes over . . . the complete renovation of all three floors of the original library building, and the construction of the second half of the underground parking garage.

Follow the project’s progress in photos at:
http://www.kpl.org/central/prg_photos.html

Watch project update videos at:
http://www.kpl.org/central/video.html

Read relevant project and library stories at:
http://www.kpl.org/central/prg_media.html

Join in the conversation at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com\kitchenerlibrary
Twitter: www.twitter.com\kitchlibrary

Planned Power Outage

There will be a scheduled construction-related power shutdown on Thursday, November 3rd and Friday, November 4thfrom 4:00 am to 8:30 am.
During this time, there will be no access to the following services at all KPL locations:

* KPL website
* KPL telephone system
* KPL TelRenew system
* KPL catalogue (including placing online holds & renewals)

This work has been scheduled to minimize the impact of any service disruptions to our library customers.

All KPL locations will open as usual at 9:30 am on both mornings.

South Wall Insulation & Stonework Begins

Work begins this week to apply insulation on the south wall of the Main Library.  As noted earlier, the original 1962 design of the library did not incorporate insulation in any of the exterior walls.  Once the insulation is applied to this side of the library the original stone that was removed last month will be re-applied.

The other walls will be insulated from the inside as part of the renovation phase of the project.  The inside of the south wall is adorned with the large Bechtel Mural.  In order to retain the original mural, the south wall insulation work needed to be done from the outside.

Click here to view recent construction photos.

Click here to view a recent video with our General Contractor.

And please . . . Follow us on Facebook!

Exterior Insulation Work Begins

Work began this week to remove stonework from the exterior of the library’s south wall to facilitate the installation of insulation.  The original 1962 design of the library did not incorporate insulation in any of the exterior walls. 

The other walls can be insulated from the inside as part of the renovation phase of the project; however, the inside of the south wall is adorned with the large Bechtel Mural.  In order to retain the original mural, the south wall insulation work must be done from the outside.

The original south wall stonework is being saved.  Once insulation work is complete, the stone will be replaced.

Click here to view construction photos.

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Construction Update

Work is continuing to progress rapidly on our renovation and expansion project. Excavation of phase one of the underground parking garage is almost complete. Some 7,000 dump trucks of earth have been removed from the site. Preparations are now underway to begin pouring concrete around the garage’s outer walls.

A tower crane has also been installed on our construction site. The 230 ft. tall crane will be used to move heavy materials and equipment into and out of the sub-surface construction site. Although the library’s new rear addition will only be two storey’s high, the tower crane is necessary to safely clear the adjacent Region building.

No loads will be actually be lifted over the Region building, however,the 200 foot long boom arm of the crane must be able to swing clear of the Region building.


View construction photos at:
http://www.kpl.org/central/prg_photos.html

Follow us on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/kitchenerlibrary

Main Library One-Day Closure

The Main Library located at 85 Queen Street North will be closed FOR ONE DAY on or about Wednesday, May 25th, 2011. This temporary closure is necessary to accommodate ongoing Central Library construction work.

Kitchener Public Library’s four Community Library locations will be remain open as usual during the Main Library closure. Library cards are valid at all KPL Community Libraries, and borrowed materials can be returned to the Community Library of your choice.

KPL Community Library locations:

Country Hills Community Library: 1500 Block Line Road
Forest Heights Community Library: 251 Fischer-Hallman Road
Grand River Stanley Community Park Library: 175 Indian Road
Pioneer Park Community Library: 150 Pioneer Drive

We anticipate the Main Library will re-open on Thursday, May 26th. As this one-day closure is to accommodate weather dependent construction work, please continue to check the KPL website to confirm the actual closure and re-opening dates.

To learn more about our exciting Central Library Renovation Project go to: www.kpl.org/central

Lyle S. Hallman Foundation Supports Central Library Fundraising Campaign

The Lyle S. Hallman Foundation has approved a significant grant in support of the evolve. literally. Central Library fundraising campaign.

In making the $50,000 contribution, the Foundation’s Board has respected the wishes of its founder and namesake, the late Lyle Hallman. Mr. Hallman’s desire to create opportunities for recreation and character building programmes, particularly for children and youth of low-income families, is addressed by the Foundation’s Children and Youth Capital Grant Programme through which KPL’s grant has been made.

Kitchener Public Library will use the funds to establish a Discovery Zone within the renovated and expanded Children’s Department. Through fun, hands-on activities, pre-schoolers will learn fundamental pre-literacy skills in an accessible and welcoming atmosphere. Caregivers will also have access to expertly designed take home exercises that will build upon the skills introduced at the Library. Strong literacy skills, encouraged early, and higher potential go hand in hand.

Kitchener Public Library thanks the Lyle S. Hallman Foundation for investing in brighter futures through this generous gift.

For more information about the evolve. literally. campaign in support of the Central Library, please contact Paul Dickson via email at Paul.Dickson@kpl.org or call 519-743-0271 ext. 278.

Parking Access: Ahrens Street Closure

A portion of Ahrens Street, from the corner of Queen Street, will be closed for the duration of our construction project.

In addition, the Ahrens Street access to the Centre-in-the-Square parking lot adjacent to the Main Library will be temporarily unavailable until May 2011. Please use the Otto Street entrance to access the Centre-in-the-Square parking lot during this period.

Despite this partial street closure and ongoing construction work, the library remains open as usual.

Please follow this link for details on current service accommodations due to construction.

We want to hear from you! Let us know what you think about project’s progress.

Demolition Work Complete!

Demolition of the rear portion of the Main Library is now complete! The next phase of the project will be the construction of the first phase of the underground parking garage; followed by the construction of our new 25,000 square foot addition at the rear of the library.

Follow this link to view photos of construction work to date.

Please note that for the duration of our construction project, a portion of Ahrens Street, from the corner of Queen Street, will remain closed; however, the Ahrens Street access to parking lot #19 (Centre-in-the-Square) will remain open. Access to the Centre-in-the-Square parking lot is also available from Otto Street.

Despite this partial street closure, and ongoing construction, the Main Library remains open as usual.

Temporary Street Closures

Some temporary street closures affecting Queen and Ahrens Streets will be required to accommodate storm & water line work associated with our construction project.

Effective Monday, January 24th, Ahrens Street will be closed from the corner of Queen Street for approximately three weeks. The Ahrens Street access to parking lot #19 (Centre-in-the-Square) will also be closed during this work, however, the Otto Street parking entrance will remain open.

Effective Wednesday, January 26th, Queen Street will be closed from Weber Street to Margaret Street for approximately three days. In addition, Ahrens Street from Young to Queen and Roy Street from Young to Queen will also be closed during this three day period. Access to the Centre-in-the-Square parking lot will remain available via Otto Street.

Please note, access to the Main Library from the designated accessible parking spaces in the adjacent Centre in the Square parking lot may be compromised duruing this three week period.

Despite these temporary street closures, the library will remain open as usual. On-street signage will be put in place directing customers to the alternative parking lot entrance.

We greatly appreciate your patience during our construction period!

Temporary Elevator Closure

Due to construction work, the Main Library's elevator will be temporarily out of service for approximately four weeks beginning January 10, 2011. During this period, customers will be required to use the Queen Street stairwell to access the upper level of the library.

For customers unable to use the stairs, procedures have been put in place to assist with the retrieval of library materials.

When visiting the Main Library, please inquire at the main floor Information Desk if you require assistance accessing materials.