Denmark Update

Submitted by Sarah Reynolds

Lots can happen in a week when you are completing a library building, receiving furniture, erecting shelving, installing millwork, landscaping, coordinating technology, and preparing to receive a large shipment of books. Those variables allow us to hone our creativity, flexibility, and problem-solving skills! 

With that in mind, several issues—such as back-ordered HVAC parts, delays in ceiling tile delivery, and Comcast connectivity problems—will delay our receipt of the certificate of occupancy (CO). As a result, we will need to postpone the branch’s grand opening. We plan to do a soft launch as soon as we’re ready, but we don’t have a set date yet. We’re aiming to have the grand opening sometime in January.

The building is still full of vendors and construction crews, so it wouldn’t be safe for the whole team to show up today when the first shipment of books arrives. Sarah booked the SF conference room for everyone to meet today for introductions, updates, and team building. Hopefully, fewer vendors will be around by Wednesday, and the whole team can start shelving books. 

Looking into the children's area from the entrance.
The boxes on the left is where the Ask Us desk will be built. 

Until we get the CO, staff can only focus on tasks that physically prepare the building—like shelving books, setting up equipment, and hanging bulletin boards. Denmark team members won't be able to create displays, hold meetings, or sit at computers to work until the CO is issued.

A different view of the children's area showing the back windows
of the building and the shelves in progress.

We anticipate unpacking and organizing the collection to take approximately three weeks. Once that is done and until we get the CO, staff will need to work at other branches. We’re still figuring out exactly how that will look, but we’ll work with branch managers and supervisors to see what works for each branch. Thank you for your continued support of this project and for working with the Denmark Team to prepare the branch and staff to serve the community.

Steve and Scot after prepping for the furniture delivery.