Building Advisory Committee

Since January, the newly-formed Building Advisory Committee or BAC for short has met twice a month to determine what needs to be done to get our Main Library renovated.  The committee, ably chaired by Trustee Marietta DiCamillo, has trustees, staff members (including myself), members of the public and some volunteers experts, engineers, architects and project managers who have agreed to lend their expertise to the process.

In January, the Great Neck Library Board of Trustees voted to renovate the Main Library within its existing footprint and not to expand.  So the committee is studying each department and each service the library provides to determine if the department or service needs to grow or shrink; where it could be located and whether or not portions of the collection or services could be moved from Main to one of the branches.

Minutes from all the meetings held to date are on our website so please read them and if you have any questions, concerns or ideas, please feel free to email me, call me or comment on this blog.  And all the meetings are open to the public.  You can find the schedule on our website as well.

Join us and become part of the process.  This is your library!  We want to make it efficient, beautiful and user-friendly.

Books -- Some people still like to turn pages!

I read an article in today's New York Times that reports a brisk business and strong sales for many bookstores this holiday season.  While I am sure that Nooks and Kindles will be unwrapped by lots of people this year, Barnes and Noble reported today that this year's Thanksgiving weekend sales increased by 10.9 percent over last year.  Private book stores report similar boosts in sales.

What can this mean?  Does it mean, perhaps, that books are not dead?  Can it be that people still like to turn pages?  When I heard it reported recently on the radio (yes, I still have one of those too) that there have been technical difficulties with the new Kindle Fire, I took comfort in knowing that the only technical difficulty I have with my copy of Alice Hoffman's newest book, The Dovekeepers, is finding time to read it!

While we celebrate the advance of technology we still celebrate books.  Whenever I go into our book processing section, I feel a certain thrill at seeing all the new copies of the latest books lined up waiting for our patrons.  And while it's certainly a lot easier to carry one Kindle than the hundreds of books Amazon says a Kindle can hold, there's nothing like the tactile experience of reading a book.  Although I find it interesting that in advertising its new Kindle Fire, Amazon's description touts Kindle's  "movies, apps, games, music, reading and more."  Do you notice that reading is #5 on the list of five activities, right ahead of the all-purpose phrase, "and more"?

If reading is your number one activity, stop by the Library.  We can help you download books to your portable e-reader or if you'd like to avoid technical difficulties and turn some pages, we will help you find a book with pages to turn -- and we'll throw in a bookmark at no additional charge.

The Building still Needs Fixing!

Here is a list I recently prepared for our Library Board of the problems that exist in our Main Library. 

Building Plans

I have surveyed the building for areas and issues that are important to address and reviewed the engineer’s report submitted as part of the Dattner Concept Report.  The first several points listed below are taken from that engineer’s report, dated June 12, 2009. In the intervening 2 ½ years, all of these problems listed below have only become more pronounced.

Mechanical and Electrical

• The boiler, which would have a few more years of useful life, contains inherent problems, because of a poor installation which has lead to cracked sections and gasket leaks. In the last two years, we have paid significant amounts to repair leaks in the boiler.
•  The HVAC  system, as we know, has a tower that is no longer viable, reheat coils that are at the end of their useful life expectancy, and ventilation fans that are old and in need of replacement.  
• The electrical service and power distribution system, as described in the report, had yet to be tested to ascertain whether their condition is adequate.  However, the numerous power supply problems in 2011 alone indicate that the library does not have an electrical system that is adequate. Our electrician has made 9 service calls to repair problems ranging from new circuitry to replacing defective and inefficient light fixtures.  In addition all exit lighting is of the original installation.
• Fire Alarm System:  This system is of the original installation and is nearing the end of its useful life, according to the engineer’s report.  From personal experience, during the fire drill that was run at Main it took much longer to reset the system due to its age.  The pull boxes in Main are original and much smaller and harder to use than newer installations. 
• Roof and storm water systems:  Storm water is currently collected on flat roofs and drained through two 8-inch and one 10-inch storm leader which terminate on the lower level of the building discharging directly into Udall’s Pond.  All exposed piping appears to be in “fair” condition.
• The roof appears to be in fair to poor condition and the roof drains should be replaced when the building is re-roofed.  The roof under the cooling tower is not properly pitched and ponding occurs.  We have had numerous leaks in various places throughout the building which are repaired and sometimes re-occur in the same spots.  I have no reason to expect the storms we’ve experience in the last two years will diminish. 
• Domestic water systems.  Currently there is no backflow preventer provided on the domestic water service.  The insulation on the fittings needs to be examined to determine if hazardous materials have been used.
• Plumbing fixtures:  All plumbing fixtures appear to be in “fair” operational condition, but they are original and do not comply with the ADA requirements for the handicapped.
• Fire protection:  Currently the building is not provided with an automatic sprinkler system.
• Elevator:  our elevator has had numerous problems with power breakdowns and the door not opening and closing properly.  Many staff members refuse to ride in it, sending the book trucks up in the elevator and taking the stairs.
• Front doors:  The front doors have had their motor replaced in an attempt to make the mechanism work more smoothly.  It is old, slow and unpredictable and has been known to nip people in the leg when they close unexpectedly on patrons as they exit the building.

Other areas of Concern

• Community Room: Bulging panels speak to the age of the room, along with a Control Room that has an aging sound system, no capability of recording or broadcasting through our local cable station.
• Parts of the exterior stone façade have separated from the building and are being held together by wood supports.  Another section of the façade near levels has begun to separate in a similar fashion.
• Levels is not ADA compliant.
• The mezzanine is also not ADA compliant and built directly onto the book stacks below, leaving no room for adaptability and change.
• Children’s Room.  The collection has outgrown its size, with many stacks too high for young children to reach.
• The reference Area has, in effect, two spots for patrons to seek help, resulting in an inefficient use of staff and confusion for the patrons on where to go for help. There is also a great deal of space being taken up with microfilm cabinets, a near-obsolete technology.
• The History Room has a growing collection and will soon run out of room. 
• As many reference books are replaced on online resources, shelving can be reduced in the reference area, which would then beg for a redesign of the area.
• The A/V department should not be on the ground floor.
• The library needs a Young Adult room or area, with shelving, seating and computers.

An Ad-Hoc Committee is being formed to formulate a workable, acceptable plan for renovating this building.  Recently, the Board voted to stay within the existing footprint, so we will not be expanding our footprint.  But our 40 year old building still needs work!

If I've left anything out, please let me know.

Libraries Matter -- and Make a Difference

There was an interesting article in the New York Times the other day.  It was a profile of a new Children's Center built for the Queens Central Library.  Called "Discover!" and built at a cost of $30 million, it is a two-story addition built next to the Central Library.  The reporter described it as "all transparency and nonchalance.  Its facade, pierced by large windows opening the interior to the street, and vice versa, glows as day turns to night, acting like a beacon in the neighborhood and redefining a humdrum block."

The article had some interesting things to say about libraries, too.  "Today libraries double as centers for the elderly and toddler playrooms.  They're safe after-school havens for teenagers of working parents, with rooms set aside that are stocked with computers and, at a few branches like the Rockaways, even with recording studios."

"Libraries have become modern town squares and gathering places; they offer millions of New Yorkers employments counseling, English-language classes and, crucially, Internet access."

"To imagine that libraries could remain as they were half a century ago would entail wishing away the Web and the demands of old people, immigrants, the unemployed, schoolchildren and parents who want constructive places to keep their young children occupied at a time when public resources and political good will are in increasignly short supply."

We are indeed lucky to not only have one library in Great Neck, but a branch system as well, with four locations to serve you.  We know that libraries matter.  They can make a difference in many people's lives.

Dattner Architects: An Important Partner in the Library Project

We are proud to have the firm of Dattner Architects to design our new building.  Our Board has directed their professionals to incorporate best environmental practices into the project since its inception. That means a healthier, more energy efficient building, minimal site impact, and the opportunity to be a green and healthy neighbor to a clean and newly-dredged Udall's pond after decades of neglect. We owe the latter improvement to Nassau County’s dredging project that is scheduled to begin soon.

Dattner Architects have a long record of sustainable design projects, the latest of which was cited on The New York Times September 26, 2011 front page. The Times reported that Dattner is a design partner in a “green” Bronx housing complex which, "goes out of its way to be healthy."  In fact, for Dattner, incorporating green and healthy elements is not at all unusual.

When it comes to environmental respect, Dattner is also at the forefront. Our library addition will not be built on a wetland.  As clearly stated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and the Town of North Hempstead, the building project must stay behind a "line of non-jurisdiction" the DEC draws to ensure an environmentally sensitive area will not be disturbed by any building next to it.  This very issue was made clear to our architects from the start.  In response, Dattner designed the addition to go no further than the existing patio area to ensure our project stays as far from Udall’s pond as possible. 

As Dattner put together a cost estimate for this project, their firm listed some options for the Board to consider.   Some of these items that have been taken out of the project were removed for reasons our opponents often cite: cost considerations.  These will be considered by the Board as possible alternates if the budget permits.  But Dattner has assured the Library that bird friendly glass is part of the project. Both the Town Board and the Library Board recognize the importance of bird-friendly glass next to a bird sanctuary, which will attract even more birds once it is dredged.

 The Board has made clear that while the main library will be closed during construction, a temporary facility will serve the community during that time. Dattner has assured us that closing the main library will allow the project to be built most quickly, economically and safely.

Far from harming Udall's Pond, the renovation project and related site work will complement the County's dredging plan and insure the long term viability of the pond. As to the irresponsible claim by referendum opponents that the new addition might jeopardize the foundation of the existing building, this is not based on any facts according to Dattner.

      The Library Board considered the option of simply renovating the existing space without any expansion. Estimated to cost $13.5 million, this option would not have met some basic program improvements requested by the public and the Library.  We would have saved some money but not gotten what the community needs.  The Board feels that the option they approved in January, 2010 best represents a prudent balance between the community's wishes and resources, and will insure the long term future of the library.

Our opponents dispute the need for an expansion. They are entitled to their opinion. Over a decade worth of visioning studies, numerous architects plans, public hearings and surveys suggest otherwise.

Authors! Authors! Authors!

I got a chance to be part of the audience for out latest Authors at GNL program.  We invited Oscar Hammerstein III (AKA Andy) back for another talk  In his first appearance at GNL, in October, 2010, he focused much of his talk on Oscar Hammerstein I, the theater impressario who was instrumental in the building of much of Time Square. This time, he focused on his famous grandfather, Oscar Hammerstein, the great lyricist for such shows as "Showboat," "Oklahoma" and "The King and I."  Both of these remarkable men are profiled in Andy's book, The Hammersteins : a Musical Theatre Family. We have several copies in our collection.  Check it out!

It's clear Andy has the show-biz gene in his blood in his wonderfully enthusiastic presentation, complete with video clips of favorite songs, of the classic musicals that made Rogers & Hammerstein a duo that set the bar for musicals that told a story. And such stories they were, too.  They covered issues like race relations, culture clashes and always, the wonder and tragedy that comes with love found, lost and found again.

Andy told us that his grandfather insisted, from the time he first met Richard Rogers that he must always write the lyrics first and Rogers wrote the music to fit them.  I found that to be a fascinating tidbit.  He talked about the opening song for "Oklahoma" when Curley comes out and sings, "Oh What a Beautiful Morning," breaking the mold for "typical" opening numbers from musicals in the 1930's that always featured a chorus of dancing girls.

Audience members uniformly praised the program.  It was a celebration of music, family and the American Musical Theatre.  We were happy to have you back, Andy.

Next Sunday, October 9, we are gearing up for another wonderful program.  We are pleased to welcome Jimmy Breslin, Murray Polner and Robert Lipsyte who will be "Talkin' Baseball, Branch Rickey, and Journalism".  This event will be held at Saddle Rock School at 2pm.  We hope to see you all there.

Almost One Month Until Referendum

The proposed renovation and expansion project for the Great Neck Library will be put to the voters for approval on October 25, 2011 from 7 am to 10 pm.  Voter information is on our website or available by calling the Library.  If you are unsure where, when or how to vote, please call me.  Since it is the objective of the Library to disseminate accurate information, I would like to clear up some inaccurate information that is floating around the community regarding our referendum.

When you vote, and I sincerely hope you do, you will be voting on two amounts of money.  The first amount is $20.8 million – the maximum amount of the bond issue.  If construction prices continue to drop as they have over the past few years, we may not need to incur the full amount of this debt.  Approximately 2/3 of these funds will be used to renovate the existing 47,125 square feet of space, and the balance to construct an addition of 8,645 square feet.

You are also voting on the maximum debt service (i.e. total annual principal and interest payments) in the amount of $1,760,000. The actual debt service will depend on the interest rate at which the bonds sell, but is expected to be considerably less.  Although our Financial Advisor, out of an abundance of caution, advised the Library to use a high interest rate of 5 ¾.%, we in no way expect the rates to be that high.  In fact, tax-exempt interest rates have recently dropped to under 4%, and are not expected to rise any time soon.  So although there is an annual debt service amount included in the referendum, there is absolutely no intention to incur that level of debt. The actual number is expected to be closer to $1.5 million.

If the majority of our voters approve the referendum, the Library will seek out a temporary fourth branch. This location will not be as big as our Main Library is because there are no empty buildings with 47,000 square feet that can be easily transformed into a library.  So we will try to find something near Main, with as much square footage as possible.

We are not going to look for that space until the referendum is over.  Why? If the referendum fails, it would be imprudent to spend time looking for a rental space we would not need.  So while some of our residents might criticize this decision as a lack of planning, rather it is – and has always been – part of the Library’s step-by-step  plan.  In fact we are following every step of the plan the Board very carefully and clearly laid out over two years ago:

• Step 1:  Hire an architect.  Dattner Architects were hired in 2009. 

• Step 2: Hire a Construction Management firm.  Park East Construction was hired in 2009.  The Board made a conscious decision not to hire a separate firm to act as an “owner’s rep” since they are confident in Park East’s ability to represent the library and its best interests with all construction and other subcontractors.  Park East has earned their outstanding reputation in the many public library and school construction projects they have overseen to their successful completion. One of Park East’s jobs will be to supervise and scrutinize the budget on a continuous basis so that there are no overruns and to handle whatever surprises and problems crop up so they can be brought to our attention immediately and a solution can be obtained. The Board has every confidence they will both represent and protect our interests.  It is in their interest to do so.

• Step 3:  Adopt a concept design to be used as a basis for necessary approvals and preparation of a schematic design.  After much discussion at public meetings, the concept design was adopted in January, 2010 and immediately posted to our website.  To say that the library has no plans is inaccurate.  In my recent community information groups and visits to various Village Board meetings, I have presented those plans, complete with square footages for each function.

• Step 4: Obtain pre-referendum site plan approval by going to first the Board of Zoning Appeals to obtain our variances, which was completed in December, 2010.  Once the variances were obtained, the Library went to the Town Board for site plan approval.  That was granted in July, 2011.  The Library Board wanted to assure the public that our site plan was approved before they asked you to vote on the project.

On the subject of the site plan, the Library’s design is not disturbing wetlands or other green areas since we are building only on what is currently hardscape.  In fact, the site plan includes a redesign of the entire storm water runoff system to collect most of the oily and sediment laden surface water from the parking lot that has been running into and polluting the pond all these years.

The new library project has been designed, from its inception, with environmental stewardship in mind, by not encroaching on undisturbed portions of the site, and by incorporating modern, up to date storm water management techniques.  The project is an opportunity to anyone who is concerned with the long term ecological balance of the site to cheer out loud! 

• Step 5:  Referendum.  On October 25, you will be asked to vote on a not-to-exceed price: $20.8 million.  The Library must work within that budget, which has contingency amounts built into it, to complete the project.  If there is an overrun on one aspect of the job, another aspect will be scaled back.   

Once the referendum is approved, the architect will work within the approved budget to develop a schematic design.  The architect’s ideas will be brought to the board and the public for timely input.  Neither the architect nor the library board is asking for blind trust.  They are asking for your honest input.  The project will enhance our collections and programs; give us space to provide the services you deserve and retain the beauty of the present building and grounds.

While the architect is hard at work, the library will be hard at work too.  We will be finding space to rent for a temporary fourth location.  We will decide what books and other materials we will move to there, to other branches or to storage.  We anticipate expanded hours at the other locations during this transition time.  We will work with partners in the community to find space for children’s and adult programs as well as Levels.  Be assured that our active, vibrant teen programs at Levels will continue in a temporary home in the community.   

What will happen if the referendum fails?  We will go back to the drawing board, as the saying goes.  The building needs work, which no one disputes.  The board can decide to go back to you again with a vote on just a renovation or a smaller expansion than the 8,654 feet currently proposed.  Either way, you will be involved.  We are not asking for a “blank check” from you nor are we asking that you “trust” us.  We are asking for you to be involved and active in the project so that will give you the library you deserve and of which can be proud.