Harkins Library Branch Undergoes Changes
Sunday, February 19, 2012 @ 6:00 AM
Prince George, B.C. – Construction begins Monday on SkyLab, a renovation project at the Prince George Public Library that will add nearly 1,000 square feet of new space for public access to computers and the Internet at the Bob Harkins branch.
The upper level of SkyLab is a mezzanine floating above the second floor, which will offer computer stations with Internet access and printing capabilities. Comfortable arm chairs and other seating around the sides will let library users read and enjoy the amazing views inside and outside of the library, including Connaught Hill, downtown and 15th Avenue leading up to UNBC.
An expanded training area for the library’s popular adult basic computer classes will be located beneath SkyLab. When not in use for training, these computers will also be available for personal use by the public.
Since the library relies on grants from the municipal and provincial government for its operating budget, the library has to raise its own funds for necessary improvement projects, like SkyLab.
"No municipal tax dollars are being spent on developing SkyLab," said chief librarian Allan Wilson. "These non-operational funds come from federal and provincial grants and generous donations and bequests from businesses and individuals, as well as fundraising efforts by our board of trustees."
IDL Projects Inc.is the general contractor for the SkyLab construction project, which should take about eight weeks to complete, at a cost of $187,200.
"The Bob Harkins branch will remain open throughout the construction period," Wilson said. "The library will be a little noisier than usual but all of our materials, as well as our computer access, will still be available for local residents."
Comments
Sounds good all around to me. Especially the way they found alternate sources of funding, rather than the municipal property taxes for the upgraded infrastructure.
Sounds like a dream project but only in Prince George. However its a shame that the liberary has to go begging to senior levels of government for a smll expansion.
I guess the city wants to keep us in the dark and feed us mushrooms would be their idea of a project for we who pay the taxes.
Cheers
I guess we can expect to see Bond, Bell and mayor Sheri at the grand opening of the new addition to the library even though they did nothing for it. Oh yes, not to forget the two invisable ones, Rustad and Harris. Life goes on.
“No municipal tax dollars are being spent on developing SkyLab,” said chief librarian Allan Wilson. “These non-operational funds come from federal and provincial grants and…”
Not meaning to be a stickler, but tax dollars are tax dollars, no matter what level of government they may come from.
Glad to see that the library is starting a new “Chapter” in it’s life.
http://www.opinion250.com/images/library_newfloor_twofloor_fixed.jpg
That is what the hullabaloo is all about. Looks like a nice high tech place to sit.
– Now they will probably have to wash the windows more often since they get a lot of grime settling on them due to their slope. Did not bother before, but may now that one can actually look out through them.
– Also, since heat rises, unless the existing ventilation system has good return air vents at the high level, or they put additional return air in from that level, it could get quite warm.
– Finally, one needs to be careful where one uses glass balustrades. Adjacent to high stools which face the balustrades, there could be some other interesting new views. Nothing some posters could not fix. ;-)
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