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Peabody preps for library renovations
The
staff at Peabody’s main library has been busy relocating book
collections and service desks in the sprawling building in preparation
for a major heating and cooling project set to begin in August.
The Peabody Institute Library at 82 Main Street will remain open during the renovations, which will happen in two phases over the next year or so, said Gerri Guyote, assistant director of the library. While the main lobby will be closed, other areas of the library will be accessible and all regular services will be available.
The library generates impressive foot traffic, said Guyote, with an average of 2,500 patrons a month. Its collection, including books, DVDs, cassettes, books on tape, microfilm, CDs and magazines, totals close to 170,000 with the south and west branch’s inventory included.
Guyote said that over the years, as it goes with older buildings, the climate indoors fluctuated from one area to another, sometimes calling for extra fans during the summer months, although no one ever had major complaints. Still, a new heating and air conditioning system are something she and staff look forward to, especially since consistent temperatures will be more welcoming for patrons.
The original building was built in 1852, said Daniel Doucette, the city’s purchasing agent, who also sits on the executive board of the Peabody Historical Society and Museum. An addition that houses the children’s room, meeting rooms and an adult fiction and non-fiction section, was built in 1978. The heating and cooling systems have run their course and its time to install more energy efficient ones, he said.
The city has taken great care to solicit specific systems with the library’s treasured Sutton Room in mind, said Doucette. This room, which was added to the main building, was built about 15 years after the original. Several years ago it was discovered that its ceiling has rare and unique paint work, and an historical conservator was contracted to oversee refurbishing it.
The Sutton Room is occasionally used for special elections and lectures and it houses the library’s archival materials, which require proper humidity and heat controls, said Doucette.
“This room is an architectural wonder,” said Doucette. “Some of the work we’re doing is to preserve that room and allow it to breathe.”
The first phase of the project set to begin in August will include the installation of a new heating system. The air conditioning work will begin in early spring and should be completed in time for the summer of 2011.
New, brighter and more energy-efficient lighting will be installed at various points during the project that will provide immediate cost savings, said Doucette.
The city will advertise a bid next week, which will call for a mechanical or HVAC specialist as the lead contractor while the electrical, lighting and related work will be sub-contracted.
The City Council in September of 2009 approved a $2.7 million bond to cover preliminary work, design, and associated costs as well as the project itself, said Doucette.
For more information call the library at 978-531-0100 or visit the HVAC
Project Updates link at www.peabodylibrary.org .
The Peabody Institute Library at 82 Main Street will remain open during the renovations, which will happen in two phases over the next year or so, said Gerri Guyote, assistant director of the library. While the main lobby will be closed, other areas of the library will be accessible and all regular services will be available.
The library generates impressive foot traffic, said Guyote, with an average of 2,500 patrons a month. Its collection, including books, DVDs, cassettes, books on tape, microfilm, CDs and magazines, totals close to 170,000 with the south and west branch’s inventory included.
Guyote said that over the years, as it goes with older buildings, the climate indoors fluctuated from one area to another, sometimes calling for extra fans during the summer months, although no one ever had major complaints. Still, a new heating and air conditioning system are something she and staff look forward to, especially since consistent temperatures will be more welcoming for patrons.
The original building was built in 1852, said Daniel Doucette, the city’s purchasing agent, who also sits on the executive board of the Peabody Historical Society and Museum. An addition that houses the children’s room, meeting rooms and an adult fiction and non-fiction section, was built in 1978. The heating and cooling systems have run their course and its time to install more energy efficient ones, he said.
The city has taken great care to solicit specific systems with the library’s treasured Sutton Room in mind, said Doucette. This room, which was added to the main building, was built about 15 years after the original. Several years ago it was discovered that its ceiling has rare and unique paint work, and an historical conservator was contracted to oversee refurbishing it.
The Sutton Room is occasionally used for special elections and lectures and it houses the library’s archival materials, which require proper humidity and heat controls, said Doucette.
“This room is an architectural wonder,” said Doucette. “Some of the work we’re doing is to preserve that room and allow it to breathe.”
The first phase of the project set to begin in August will include the installation of a new heating system. The air conditioning work will begin in early spring and should be completed in time for the summer of 2011.
New, brighter and more energy-efficient lighting will be installed at various points during the project that will provide immediate cost savings, said Doucette.
The city will advertise a bid next week, which will call for a mechanical or HVAC specialist as the lead contractor while the electrical, lighting and related work will be sub-contracted.
The City Council in September of 2009 approved a $2.7 million bond to cover preliminary work, design, and associated costs as well as the project itself, said Doucette.
For more information call the library at 978-531-0100 or visit the HVAC
Project Updates link at www.peabodylibrary.org .
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