[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: Seeking advice on library renovations
A few thoughts, as I recently went through some work here (and after a few
months of quiet, they're back again, though I admit I missed the guys a
little - I was less lonely:) )
1) things will take longer than they promised. That's an iron-clad
guarantee. The demolition that took place here in August, 2001 supposedly
meant they'd be gone in 4-6 weeks. They finally finished up in March, 2002.
They found things they weren't expecting, they changed plans mid-stream,
etc. etc. etc.
2) Will they actually be working in your storage area, or will it be in
other rooms around your area? If it's outside, the cost factors can
probably take precedence, but if they need to be in your rooms I'd consider
the move. Frankly, you're going to have serious dust in the area even if
they're working down the hall, unless you can really seal the storage are
tight.
3) The major potential damages are water and dust - for the dust, see above,
for the water, you need to make sure they're extremely careful not to start
working on the pipes without warning you first, and making darned sure they
don't screw up. There might be other concerns, but this is what I worried
about; I suppose if they have to weld anything, fire is another.
4) How will the renovations affect services? Are you shutting down during
it? Will you be able to get to the collections while they work? Will it go
faster if you close up shop for a little while?
They can wrap stacks & filing cabinets in plastic sheeting while they pull
down walls & put up ceilings, but it's not perfect by any stretch. They can
also be extremely careful while they work on the place about keeping the
care of the materials in mind.
The first thing you MUST do is sit down with the contractor and the crew
chief (probably with management too) and talk about your concerns and
explaining to them why this is important. If you build a good relationship
with the construction people, make it clear that you understand the value of
their work, and explain your needs very clearly, you'll be able to get them
to grasp your needs throughout the project.
Good luck,
DS
______________________________________
Daniel Sokolow, Archives Coordinator
David Taylor Archives
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System
155 Community Drive
Great Neck, NY 11021
mailto:dsokolow@nshs.edu
A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List!
To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to listserv@listserv.muohio.edu
In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
*or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to archives@listserv.muohio.edu
Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html
Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <rschmidt@lib.muohio.edu>