New Documents Posted

A couple of additional documents have been posted on the documents page, including:

• A Sketchup model of the building.  If you want to check this out, you'll need to use a copy of Google's Sketchup program.
• A Site Plan with potential art locations.
• A Floor Plan with potential art locations.

SD presentation slides posted

If you missed the public meeting or are looking for the presentation slides, they're posted on the documents page of this website.

Our next public meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 24th.  Confirmation and more details will be posted here in the coming weeks.

Schematic Design Review - 8/15/13

Hello everyone,

The design work for the new Mendenhall Valley Public Library is nearing the halfway point.  Schematic design, the second of four design phases, is scheduled to be complete shortly after our next public meeting, which will be on August 15^th, 6:30pm, at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in the Mendenhall Mall.  I hope you can make the meeting and give us your feedback, thoughts, and suggestions.  If you can’t, there are a couple of other ways to provide your feedback:

·         Visit the library in the Mendenhall Mall.  There is a display with architectural drawings and a suggestion box.

·         Leave a comment on this web page.

·         Shoot me an email.

Additionally, the slides from the last public meeting are now posted under the “Documents” tab above.  My apologies for the delay.

Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea of where we are right now in the process.  Keep in mind that there is still much design work to do.

This image shows the site where the library will be placed.  The thick orange arrows cover Riverside Drive, while the thinner orange arrow notes the primary entry into Dimond Park.  The library will be positioned on the yellow star, and the light green oval represents a stand of large trees which will remain between the library and the aquatic center.  The dotted yellow lines represent the range of the sun during the winter and summer, and weather primarily comes from the direction indicated by the thick blue arrow.  I’m excited about this site placement.  Dimond Park has the potential to become a community center for the Mendenhall Valley and the placement of the library on this site, already home to a number of key educational and recreational resources, significantly strengthens a sense of center in this area.

Here we see what the floor plan currently looks like.  Note the canopy covering the plaza area before the front doors – this will allow for covered benches and bike parking.  We’ve also programmed in a significant increase in meeting room space, including a large 70-100 person room, a smaller 10 person room, and four 1-6 person study rooms.

In this image, you can see some very early 3D models of what the building will look like.  We’ve settled on a single, sloped roof form.  This type of roof form helps control costs, allows for easy maintenance, and funnels rain and snow into a controllable area.  The top elevation displays the entry of the library from the parking lot, while the bottom image is taken from the perspective of driving South on Riverside Drive.  You can also see some potential material choices in the light wood (underside of the roof), and variable slate brick (exterior).

I’ll continue to post on this Friends of the Library web page as things develop and I hope to see you at the public meeting on the 15^th.

All the best,

Robert Barr

Library Director

Juneau Public Libraries

Conceptual Design Review 6/25

The new facility for the Mendenhall Valley Public Library is quickly becoming a reality. The first phase of design for the building, what in architectural terms is called conceptual design, is nearly complete. Three phases remain: schematic, design development, and construction documents. Come join us for a public meeting to review the conceptual design documents at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library in the Mendenhall Mall. We’ll start the meeting at 7 pm in the reading area. Light refreshments will be served. We hope you’ll come and provide feedback.

Conceptual Design Review 
Tuesday June 25th 7pm 
Mendenhall Valley Public Library

 Can’t make the meeting? Check back at this website afterwards, where we’ll post all of the documents reviewed at the meeting.  Even if you’re unable to attend, we’re eager to hear from you. You are welcome to send me comments directly, and  will be two future meetings later this year to review later phases of design. As soon as those dates are firmed up, we’ll post them here as well.

 Best,

Robert Barr
Library Director
Juneau Public Libraries

Big Check Event!

Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries,

Members and former members alike, please join me in a BIG CHECK conveyance event at the Amazing Bookstore (get directions) next Friday (2/8) at 10 am. A photographer from the Empire will be on hand to record the conveyance of the first $250,000 check to the CBJ of the Friends promised $1,000,000 contribution toward the design and construction of the New Valley Library. It would be great if everyone who has contributed their time and efforts (including current and former board members and bookstore volunteers) towards reaching this historic milepost could be on hand to share in the credit.

 Thank You,

 Paul Berans- Board President, Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries

Donna Pierce hired as Project Manager

To help ensure the success of the New Valley Library project at Dimond Park, the CBJ Manager’s office has hired  Donna Pierce to serve as a part-time Project Manager to keep the library project on track. Donna will advocate for the needs of library staff and programs in the design of the new building. She will be starting in her new position this month, and will continue to serve until bid award, expected to occur in January of 2014.

Outgoing Library Director Barbara Berg and Pierce will meet intensively during the next couple of months to bring her up to speed on the design process so far. Throughout the next phase of the project, Donna will meet with library staff, the new Library Director, the engineering project manager, and the architect as much as is needed and will help facilitate public meetings. Barbara Berg speaking on behalf of Pierce said, "I can assure you all that the project will be in the best possible hands. Donna has offered her support and advice toward achieving a new Valley library since 1983, and she is as eager as any of us to see that the best possible library is built.”

Thank You Juneau!

The Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries as well as the Staff of the Juneau Public Libraries would like to thank Juneau voters for their support at this year's Municipal Election!  With the passing of Proposition 2, the final piece of local funding has been put in place for the construction of the New Valley Library!

We look  forward to working with the community as the project moves forward into the next stages of design.  This site will continue to track project progress so check back soon.