The Library is Now Open To the Public

The Library is now open to the public. All library materials will be due on January 2nd.We will be closed on January 28-30 and a grand reopening is scheduled for January 31st.

Library Closed December 1-14

The Monroe Library is beginning the final stages of its renovation project. While this work is being done the Library will be closed from Monday, December 1 through Sunday, December 14.

• The Library will reopen on Monday, December 15.
• All Library materials will be due on January 2, 2009.
• There will be NO fines charged during December.
• Please DO NOT return items while the Library is closed.
• If you would like to return your items at an earlier date, the Library staff would appreciate that you return these items after December 22.
• While the Library is closed holds cannot be placed on materials.
• Items previously placed on hold will be available for pickup after Tuesday, December 16.
• Please call the Library at 732-521-5000 for construction updates.
• The Library Bookmobile will be off the road during the month of December.
• Library cards for Monroe may be used in numerous libraries in New Jersey. The participating libraries in Middlesex County are:

Cranbury
609-655-0555

Old Bridge
(732) 721-5600, ext. 5024

Edison
(732) 287-2298

Perth Amboy
(732) 826-2600

Highland Park
(732) 572-2750

Piscataway
(732) 463-1633

Jamesburg
(732) 521-0440

Plainsboro
(609) 275-2897

Middlesex County College
732.906.2561

Sayreville
(732) 727-0212

Milltown
(732) 247-2270

South Amboy
(732) 721-6060

New Brunswick
(732) 745-5108

South Brunswick
(732) 329-4000, ext. 280

North Brunswick
(732) 246-3545

South River
(732) 254-2488

Spotswood
(732) 251-1515

September 1st - September 5, September 8th - September 12th

A. Work Performed During the Time Period of September 1st 2008 to September 5th 2008

• Install drywall in the north and south additions.
• Start the site clean‐up in preparation for landscaping.
• Clean‐up the interior of the new additions.
• Continue the work for the existing office areas.
• Spackle and sand the drywall.
• Continue panting the finished walls.
• Continue the installation of the trees and bushes.
• Start the installation of the new sprinkler system.

B. Work to be Performed the Time Period of September 8th 2008 to September 12th 2008
These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Continue the paint application in various areas.
• Complete the window frame and glazing installation.
• Continue the site work, clean up and finish grading.
• Near completion of the existing office area renovation.
• Accept the delivery of the finish materials.
• Continue the sprinkler system installation.
• Continue the installation of the new ceilings.
• Complete the installation of the trees and bushes.
• Continue to install the exterior site lighting.

August 18th-August 22, August 25th-August 29

A. Work Performed During the Time Period of August 18th 2008 to August 22nd 2008

• Install drywall in the north and south additions.
• Review and inspect that all required items have been installed before the drywall is applied.
• Start the site clean‐up in preparation for landscaping.
• Clean‐up the interior of the new additions.
• Pour the concrete pads for the new concrete walkways.
• Continue the work for the existing office areas.
  

B. Work to be Performed the Time Period of August 25th 2008 to August 29th 2008

These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Continue the drywall installation.
• Spackle and sand the drywall.
• Start paint application in various areas.
• Complete the window frame and glazing installation.
• Continue the site work
• Near completion of the existing office area renovation.
• Accept the delivery of the finish materials.

July 7-July 18, July 18-July 25

A. Work Performed During the Time Period of July 7th 2008 to July 18th 2008

• Complete the light gauge steel framing in the north addition.
• Start the new brickwork on the south addition.
• Continue the rough electric, plumbing and mechanical.
• Re‐direct the traffic flow as per the new design.
• Continue the site work curbing.

B. Work to be Performed the Time Period of July 18th 2008 to July 25th 2008

These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Continue work on the new exit drive by the Police Station.
• Continue work on the drop off Window Island.
• Continue the masonry (brickwork).
• Continue the roof tie in to the existing roof.
• Start the installation of the new windows.
• Start the installation of the new door frames.
• Continue the electric installations, various areas.
• Continue the mechanical, plumbing and hvac installations.

June 23rd - June 27th, June 30th - July 4th

A. Work Performed During the Week of June 23rd 2008 to June 27th 2008

• Continue with the steel framing on the north addition.
• Continue with the ductwork and installation of the VAV boxes.
• Continue the rough electric installation.
• Continue the rough plumbing and the fire sprinkler piping.
• Install the frame for the new skylight.
• Prepare the new parking lot and new entrance for asphalt base course.
• Complete the new roof over the meeting room.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of June 30th 2008 to July 4th 2008
These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Complete the light gauge steel framing in the north addition.
• Receive and start the new brickwork on the south addition.
• Continue the rough electric, plumbing and mechanical.
• Complete the new parking lot.
• Re‐direct the traffic flow as per the new design.
• Continue the site work curbing.
• Receive the new window frames.
• Clean and prepare the existing parking areas with new stripping.
• Coordinate the work in the existing office areas.

June 2-June 6, June 9- June 13

Work Performed During the Week of June 2nd 2008 to June 6th 2008

• Continue the light gauge steel framing.
• Continue the installation of the ductwork, fire sprinkler lines, plumbing and electric.
• Start the installation of the roofing for the north addition.
• Continue the installation of the new parking areas.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of June 9th 2008 to June 13th 2008
These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Continue with the steel framing on the north addition.
• Continue with the ductwork and installation of the VAV boxes.
• Continue the rough electric installation.
• Continue the rough plumbing and the fire sprinkler piping.
• Install the frame for the new skylite.
• Prepare the new parking lot and new entrance for asphalt base

May 19-23, May 25-30

A. Work Performed During the Week of May 19th 2008 to May 23rd 2008

• Complete the steel erection on the north addition.
• Continue the light gauge steel framing on the north addition.
•Start the rough plumbing, rough electric, mechanicals and fire sprinkler piping on the north addition.
• Continue with the submittal process.


B. Work to be Performed the Week of May 25th 2008 to May 30th 2008

These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Complete the structural steel testing.
• Continue the light gauge steel framing.
• Continue the installation of the ductwork, fire sprinkler lines, plumbing and electric.
• Review and finalize the documentation for the new parking lot design.
• Install the roofing for the north addition.

Weekly Report # 21

A. Work Performed During the Week of May 2nd 2008 to May 9th 2008

• Fire sprinkler installation on the south addition.
• Start the interior light gauge framing in the north addition.
• Continue with the rough electric.
• Continue the rough plumbing.
• Continue the ductwork.
• Install the densglass siding on the exterior of the south addition.


B. Work to be Performed the Week of May 12th 2008 to May 16th 2008

These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Continue the steel erection on the north addition.
• Continue the light gauge steel framing on the north addition.
• Start the rough plumbing, rough electric, mechanicals and fire sprinkler piping on the north addition.
• Continue with the submittal process.

Library Plans to Remain Open During Construction

There was a misprint in the Neighborhood News and Shopper saying the Library will be closed for construction starting May 18th. The Library has no plans to close at this time. Continue to check here for construction updates.

Weekly Report # 19

A. Work Performed During the Week of April 14th 2008 to April 18th 2008

• Complete the structural steel erection (phase one) on the north addition.
• Start the light gauge framing, north addition.
• Start the rough‐ins for the electrical, plumbing, fire sprinkler piping and the new ductwork, north addition.
• Start the installation of the new roofing, south addition.
• Continue the installation of the densglass siding.
• Start the concrete curbing by the new parking lot and the new entrance.
• Block off the new front entrance with orange fencing.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of April 21st 2008 to April 25th 2008

These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Continue work on the new parking lot.
• Continue work on the new front entrance.
• Start the interior light gauge framing in the north addition.
• Inspect the structural steel for plumb and square.
• Continue with the exterior siding, south addition.
• Complete the first phase of the roofing for the south addition.
• Continue with the rough electric, plumbing, ductwork and fire sprinkler installation on the south addition

Weekly Report # 18

A. Work Performed During the Week of April 7th 2008 to April 11th 2008

• Continue the light gauge framing on the south addition.
• Continue the rough electrical installation, south addition.
• Continue the rough plumbing installation, south addition.
• Continue the installation of the new ductwork, south addition.
• Install the new fire sprinkler lines, south addition.
• Continue the erection, bolting and welding on the north addition structural steel.
• Install the densglass siding on the upper section of the framing on the south addition.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of April 14th 2008 to April 18th 2008

These items of work are contingent upon the previous work being completed and the weather conditions.

• Complete the structural steel erection (phase one) on the north addition.
• Start the light gauge framing, north addition.
• Start the rough‐ins for the electrical, plumbing, fire sprinkler piping and the new ductwork, north addition.
• Start the installation of the new roofing, south addition.
• Continue the installation of the densglass siding.

Weekly Report # 17

A. Work Performed During the Week of March 24th 2008 to March 28th 2008

• Continue the submittal process.
• Start the metal framing for the interior walls (south).
• Continue installing the new ductwork (south).
• Continue installing the new rough electric (south).
• Continue installing the new roof drain lines and new gas piping (south).
• Receive the light gauge framing materials for the north addition.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of March 31st 2008 to April 4th 2008
The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue the interior framing (south).
• Continue the ductwork installation (south).
• Continue the rough electric installation (south).
• Complete the gas piping (south).
• Prepare for the structural steel delivery (north).

Weekly Report # 16

A. Work Performed During the Week of March 10th 2008 to March 14th 2008

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue the steel erection welding for the south addition.
• Install the metal roof decking.
• AEL here to inspect the steel erection.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of March 17th 2008 to March 21st 2008

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue the steel erection welding for the south addition.
• Start the ductwork installation.
• Start the roof drain piping.

Weekly Report # 15

A. Work Performed During the Week of March 3rd 2008 to March 7th 2008

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue the steel erection for the south addition.
• AEL here to inspect the steel erection.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of March 10th 2008 to March 14 th 2008

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue the steel erection for the south

Weekly Report #14

A. Work Performed During the Week of February 25th 2008 to February 29th 2008

• Continue the submittal process.
• Receive the steel for the south addition.
• Start the erection of the steel, south addition.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of March 3rd 2008 to March 7 th 2008
The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue the steel erection for the south addition.

Weekly Report #13

A. Work Performed During the Week of February 18th 2008 to February 22nd 2008

• Continue the submittal process.
• Work on the south building pad.
• Survey the new site layout.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of February 25th 2008 to February 29 th 2008
The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process.
• Deliver the new steel for the south building addition.
• Start the steel erection on the south building addition.

Weekly Report # 12

A. Work Performed During the Week of January 28th 2008 to February 1st 2008

• Continue the submittal process.
• Work on the south building pad.
• Survey the new site layout.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of February 4th2008 to February 8th 2008

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process.
• Masons to work on the south building

Weekly Report # 11

A. Work Performed During the Week of January 28th 2007 to February 1st 2008

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue work on the interior water and gas pipes.
• Work on the south building pad.
• Install underground structures.
• Survey the new site layout.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of February 4th 2008 to February 8th 2008

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process.
• Masons to work on the south building pad, preparing the column piers
for the new steel. This process has slowed down due to the weather freezing the ground.
• Install underground structures.
• Survey the new site layout.

Weekly Report # 10

A. Work Performed During the Week of January 21st 2007 to January 25th 2008

• Start interior piping work, (water and gas).
• Start the interior electric layout.
• Install the plumbing in the south building pad (underslab).
• Install electric in the south building pad (underslab).
• Install the 3/4” clean stone.
• Prepare the slab for concrete.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of January 28th 2008 to February 1st 2008

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue work on the interior water and gas pipes.
• Work on the south building pad.
• Install underground structures.
• Survey the new site layout.

Weekly Report # 9

A. Work Performed During the Week of January 11th 2007 to January 18th 2008

• Start the underground electric installation in the north building pad.

• Install the vapor barrier on the north building pad.

• Continue rough in on the south building pad.

• Install the forms for the concrete pad.

• Schedule concrete pour for the north building pad.

• Pressure grout the existing water line.

• Continue working on the submittal process.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of January 18th 2008 to January 25th 2008

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Start interior piping work, (water and gas).

• Start the interior electric layout.

• Install the plumbing in the south building pad (underslab).

• Install electric in the south building pad (underslab).

• Install the 3/4” clean stone.

• Prepare the slab for concrete.

Weekly Report # 8

A. Work Performed During the Week of January 4th 2007 to January 11th 2008

•Continue the masonry work on the new south addition foundation.

•Continue installation of the north building underground plumbing.

•Continue the delivery of materials.

•Continue the installation of the new water pipe, there is a water shut
down scheduled for the 11th to connect the new water pipe.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of January 11th 2008 to January 18th 2008

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

•Start the underground electric installation in the north building pad.

•Install the vapor barrier on the north building pad.

•Continue rough in on the south building pad.

•Schedule concrete pour for the north building pad.

•Continue working on the submittal process.

Weekly Report # 6

A. Work Performed During the Week of December 14th 2007 to December 21st 2007

• Start building the south addition footings.
  
  
• Compact the north building pad.
  
  
• Continue the submittal process.
  
  
• Accept materials for the new underground retention basin.
  
  
• Install the new water valves.
  
  
• Install underground structures.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of December 21st 2007 to December 28th 2007

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Compaction testing for the north and south building slabs.
  
  
• Pour concrete for the south building footings.
  
  
• Start the installation of the new water piping.
  
  
• Start installing the underground piping in the north building slab.

This is a short week due to the Holidays.

Weekly Report # 5

A. Work Performed During the Week of December 7th 2007 to December 14th 2007

• Continue the submittal process.
• Excavate, inspect and pour concrete for the interior footings and piers for the north building.
• Accept materials for the site work.
• Complete the insulation on the interior foundation.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of December 17th 2007 to December 21st 2007

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

• Start building the south addition footings.
• Compact the north building pad.
• Continue the submittal process.
• Accept materials for the new underground retention basin.

Weekly Report # 4

A. Work Performed During the Week of November 30th 2007 to December 7th 2007

• Continue the submittal process.

• Continue the foundation block work.

• Accept new materials being delivered to the site.

• Excavate, install rebar, inspect and pour the concrete for the interior
piers.

• Install the interior perimeter insulation.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of December 7th 2007 to December 14th 2007

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed
and weather conditions

• Continue the submittal process; this will be ongoing for most of the
project.

• Locate the existing utility lines.

• Compact to slab foundation.

• Start the removal of the existing face brick on the north side of the
building.

• Start the new underground utility installation.

Weekly Report #3

A. Work Performed During the Week of November 23rd 2007 to November 30th 2007

•Continue the submittal process.
•Continue clearing the plants for the new front parking lot.
•Prepare the south building pad.
•Prepare the south construction entrance.
•Investigate and locate underground utilities.
•Excavate and pour the footing concrete, north bldg pad.
•Start the block foundation work, north bldg pad.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of November 30th 2007 to December 7th 2007

The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions

•Continue the Submittal process.
•Continue the block foundation work, north bldg pad.
•Excavate and pour the concrete for the interior column pads.
•Start the removal of the brick veneer, north side only.
•Acquire all needed inspections to proceed with the work.

Weekly Report #2

A. Work Performed During the Week of November 19th 2007 to November 23rd 2007

• Continue with the submittal process.
• Remove sprinkler pump and store in the shed.
• Cleared plants for new parking lot.
• Survey and stake out new building footprint.
• Review the access for the south building addition.
• Rough grade the south building pad.
• Strip the south building pad top soil.
• Relocate the playground.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of November 26th 2007 to November 30th 2007
The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions.

• Continue the submittal process.
• Continue clearing the plants for the new front parking lot.
• Prepare the south building pad.
• Prepare the south construction entrance.
• Investigate and locate underground utilities.
• Complete the playground relocation.

Top of Page

Weekly Report #1

A. Work Performed During the Week of November 5th 2007 to November 9th 2007

• Continue with the submittal process.
• Locate the existing underground sprinkler system, remove and mark for future installation.
• Remove plants as required for the new construction.
• Relocate playground equipment.
• Start to strip to top soil.
• Start the location of the existing underground utilities.
• Relocate shed.
• Relocate and reassemble playground equipment.
• Remove catch basin and pipe in the south building footprint.
• Remove sprinkler pump and store in the shed.

B. Work to be Performed the Week of November 12th 2007 to November 16th 2007. The items of work listed below are contingent upon previous work being completed and weather conditions.

• Start to grade the south construction area.
• Clear vegetation for the parking lot.
• Survey and stake out the north building footprint.
• Install imported fill for the north building addition.
• Prepare for the installation of the north building footings.
• Continue the submittal process.
• Review the access for the south building addition.

C. Construction Photographs (see link above)
• Start stripping the top soil, north side.
• Locating the existing sprinkler lines, North side of the building.
•South side plant removal as required to erect the building.

R. Muller, Epic Management Inc.

And So It Begins...

Inside the fence surrounding the Library on three sides, earth moving equipment has been busy moving dirt and delineating the outline of the future expansion areas. With steel delivery expected in January, footings will be set and concrete poured during the months of November and December. Library visitors are able to look out the windows and observe the progress.

Because parking has had to be reduced during this time, Library programming will be geared to smaller audiences. Programs with significant attendance will resume after construction is completed.

We do not anticipate closing, put have been notified that there may be an occasional day when water lines need to be rerouted, or power lines moved that the Library will have to close for a day. We will give our users as much advanced notice as we can.

No one has stolen the Nalitt playground! We’ve moved it to the other side of the parking lot. And the Contributor’s Courtyard bricks have been moved off-site and stored in a safe location.

We invite you to stop by and enjoy our progress.

Ground Breaking Day

As we break ground for the expansion of our Library, I find myself reflecting on what value we add to our community.

On any particular day, a visitor to our library
may ponder public policy and current issues,
discuss a variety of book topics,
listen to a lecture on art, music or literature,
view a film,
learn computer skills,
bring a child to Storytime, a craft program or to be tutored by a volunteer.

If a person cannot visit the library,
we bring the library to them,
with our Bookmobile or homebound delivery.

Trained professional librarians help residents
use the discovery tools and materials
on every subject,
from all perspectives,
in a full range of formats
that enrich their lives
and contribute to an information-smart community.

Let the Bidding Begin

The long awaited moment is here. The bid documents for the Library expansion are completed. Advertisements inviting bids have been placed in the Home News and the Star Ledger. Deadline for receipt of bids is September 12, 2007 at 11 AM. So, we have forward movement on our project.

We expect to hold a Groundbreaking Ceremony on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 3 PM.

Let us hope for a mild winter.

Fall Looks Good

Fall is a time of cooler weather, planting spring bulbs, autumn leaves and breaking ground for the Library Expansion. With a mild winter, we could be well on our way to the addition we've been working on for the past several months. The added time has allowed us to fine tune new areas, and work on some access road improvements. As we wait for the major work, we'll be improving our lobby area. With an average of 1000 people passing through daily, it's time for some new paint and other improvements.