Logistical complications delay completion
By:Emily Craighead
Hillsborough will have to do without its library for an additional two weeks, while movers juggle the logistics of installing carpeting, and transporting shelves and books to the new wing.
The library will now open Nov. 29 at the earliest. It was originally scheduled to reopen Nov. 15.
"There is a series of interlocking operations that are not occurring as we would like them to occur," Director Virginia Parks said last week.
Problems with the heating system caused part of the delay, because the carpet must be installed at a certain temperature, and furnishings could not be brought in before the carpet was installed.
Now the carpet is installed and the next step will be to move the shelves and unpack boxes of books.
Fire safety inspections, expected to take place two weeks ago, still have not been completed with all inspectors attending training sessions this week. These inspections are required before the library can apply for a certificate of occupancy.
Although the library is still $30,000 short of its $50,000 fund-raising goal for purchasing new furniture and shelves, Ms. Parks said this will not delay the library’s reopening.
"When we open, we won’t have our nice new chairs, people will notice that right away," Ms. Parks said. The library is reusing most of the shelving and furniture from the old space.
The library was left with a $50,000 shortfall after the price of shelving rose dramatically this year. According to Industryweek.com, the price for steel jumped by 66 percent between June and April of this year because of increased worldwide demand and a weaker U.S. dollar.
Last week, the Township Committee approved a plan to establish a $140,000 contingency fund to cover additional expenses in the construction of the municipal building expansion and parking areas.
The new library will measure 27,325 square feet, an increase of 50 percent from the old space.