News and Updates
HVAC Updates, Wall News, and More
A recap: RTU-6 is our incoming rooftop (RT) unit (the sixth HVAC unit at the Library) which will replace the unit that failed last summer. The goal? A cool mezzanine and second floor when it gets hot outside!
Our engineers and contractors have spent the past few months doing the preparatory work for the installation of this sci-fi sounding piece of machinery, which is why the mezzanine has been closed. There’s been welding, there’s been duct work, the roof has been cut into and I’ve used the phrase “rigging sub” in conversation more than once, so this is certainly a flurry of activity that’s exciting for us all.
The unit is on track to ship from Texas in mid-May, which means that we are tentatively planning (key word, as ever, being tentatively. Imagine me adding that to the end of every sentence of this email. I won’t do it because that would be annoying, but that’s the kind of looming caveat I’m talking about) for an installation date of May 27.
So how does an HVAC unit that sounds like a Star Wars droid make it onto to the roof? With the help of a huge crane (hence my new friend, the rigging sub!) that will lift it from the top level of the parking lot to the roof, at which point the actual installation will happen.
Building Update: Let's Talk Oversight
A common concern voiced during the leadup to our bond vote was about oversight on this project–who watches the watchmen, if you will. Our Board of Trustees shared this concern and prioritized hiring a reputable construction management firm to lead us through this process. We’ve been working with Calgi Construction with two project managers, David Chen and Dorian De Laurentiis, who have been overseeing our budgets, plans, processes and meetings; David has been managing the larger project (i.e. the retaining wall repairs and interior work) and Dorian has been working with us specifically on the RTU-6 portion of the project. We are incredibly fortunate to have them (and on a purely selfish note, they run extremely efficient meetings. These are the people you want in charge of a project!).
So what does this oversight look like in practice? Let’s walk through it with the RTU-6 project, the SciFi sounding work currently taking place to install a new HVAC unit. It is a smaller project, but there are still multiple layers of experts managing it.
Updates on our interior, exterior, and HVAC projects
Perhaps this is selfish, but it’s incredibly exciting to see real action taking place with our building project because now I have real, tangible things to update you on! It’s very difficult to write an engaging summary about people having meetings and signing paperwork, so I am pleased to be able to say that three parts of our project are moving forward with, dare I say, gusto and we are in line with our anticipated project schedule.
HVAC News and Changes Coming to the Mezzanine
As part of our building repairs and renovations, the Library has prioritized replacing the broken HVAC system that serves the second floor and mezzanine, which failed over the summer and disrupted library services, collections, and operating hours.
Construction on this piece of our project will begin this month with the preparatory work needed ahead of the installation of our new rooftop HVAC unit, colloquially known as RTU-6.
Click here for full details about changes to the Mezzanine and first floor.
Update from Karen LaRocca-Fels, December 17, 2025
Click here for an update from Library Director Karen LaRocca-Fels