HARDWICK – For much of the past year, it has been easy for a passer-by to take note of the step-by-step progress made to the Jeudevine Memorial Library addition. A foundation poured, framing erected, walls added, building wrap attached, windows installed, exterior woodwork completed, stone entryways created, entry walkways tiled, all in the nick of time as winter arrived.
Since then, the only changes to the outside of the building have been the placement of handrails along the steps up from Main Street to the original library entrance, and along the steps to the new West Church Street entrance.
However, the relative quiet that has settled over the grounds of the Jeudevine in the last few months belies the noise, dust and smell produced by a parade of craftspeople on the inside. Of course, most of that activity has been focused on the new addition. Drywall was hung and taped after insulation was completed. Meanwhile, electricians have been roughing in wiring and cutting outlets. Window trim, ash for the upstairs windows, yellow birch for the downstairs, has been completed.
That phase of construction added to my rather pedestrian “construction” vocabulary: sills, casings, returns and nosings. Of course I know what a window sill is, and I had a vague idea of what the term “casing” describes, but returns and nosings were new to me. The casing covers the space between the window and the drywall; the returns are the vertical pieces that frame the window recess from the side, and the nosings are the decorative ends to the window sill that project horizontally along the drywall. Apologies if you already knew all that.
Taping is now being placed to prepare for a finish coating to be applied to all the woodwork. A variety of flooring surfaces have been laid: Carpet in the upstairs youth area, ceramic tiles in the downstairs bathrooms, sheet vinyl in the kitchen.
The librarian’s workspace is taking shape, with a half-wall desk enabling an interface with patrons, and an adjacent office. A pocket door will provide the connection.
Above all that activity, workers are adding sprinkler heads to the pipes, threading through wiring, dropping in lighting fixtures and ceiling tiles.
It is much easier now to imagine the flow of people through the new space. The natural light through the windows along the south side of the new building should add to one’s sense of calm and comfort.
The noisiest and dustiest project of all was the creation of the connection between the old and new buildings, described in the January column. That work is complete. For now, a plywood sheath seals that passageway.
Later this month a couple of special events appear on the library calendar. The first will take place February 18: A teen book buffet, where snacks will be served during a presentation of some of the Young Adult books that are new to the library. Participants are welcome to bring along their own recommendations.
On February 20, the library will hold a workshop for children ages 7 to 10 to build a birdhouse out of popsicle sticks. Both of these events will begin at 3 p.m.
Many readers will remember lifelong Hardwick resident Linda Kinney who taught elementary school for decades. She was an avid fan of mysteries and donated many such books to the Jeudevine over the years. In honor of her generosity, and her love of a good mystery, the
Jeudevine and the Galaxy Bookshop have combined to create the Linda Kinney Memorial Mystery Fund. Contributions to the fund may be made either at the library or the Galaxy. The money will be put toward the purchase of new mystery books for the Jeudevine collection.
