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

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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.