Library Paves the Way

With an innovative sidewalk repair solution, the Rosenberg Library is helping to pave the way to a greener Galveston.

In order to ensure a safe, level sidewalk and preserve vital tree roots while avoiding costly future repairs, a rubber sidewalk system, Terrewalks(TM), was installed in a section of sidewalk bordering Sealy Street.

Made of 100% recycled tires by California based and woman owned Rubbersidewalks Inc. Terrewalks(TM) interlocking modular tiles with a concrete look -courtesy of organic colorants- blend seamlessly with the library's traditional concrete sidewalk sections. ADA compliant and exceeding both ADA and OSHA wet and dry non-skid ratings, Galveston's first Terrewalks(TM) was installed by Alex Gonzalez of Creative Combinations, Inc. Working with an arborist, Gonzalez's crew brought roots and rubber together in an optimal balance.

Featured in an August 2006 story on NPR, Rubbersidewalks, Inc. was initially tested in 60 cities nationwide. Since that time, municipalities, engineers, architects, and a myriad of organizations report exceeded expectations and Terrewalks(TM) has received acclaim in publications ranging from professional and governmental journals to The USA Today and BusinessWeek.

The Galveston Daily News ran an article on the rubber sidewalk project and featured a picture of the actual installation process. The Library is the first entity in Galveston to utilize rubber sidewalks as a way to enhance safety, preserve precious trees and ensure a long-term economically viable solution to the issue of buckling sidewalks.

Handrails, Sidewalk Update, New Bike Racks on the Way

Concrete repairs in front of the library's east (23rd Street) entrance are complete. The handrail on the new stairs has been installed. Both lower and upper stair handrails are colored a high gloss black.

The sidewalk along 23rd Street has reopened. Sidewalk repair and construction continues along Sealy Avenue. The above photo shows concrete being poured to replace a portion of the sidewalk near the 23rd and Sealy crosswalk.

Good news for our patrons opting for two-wheeled self-propelled transport as replacement bike racks will soon be installed. Bike racks are located between the Sealy parking lot and Pavilion as well as on the alley / Ball Street side of the building.

Stepping Safely into Summer Sidewalk Repair

Step right up! We are pleased to report that the stairs leading to the 23rd Street (East side) entrance have been repaired and leveled.

The cement stair project, beginning the 11th of June, took less than one week to complete. Alternate entrance was offered via the first floor during the construction process. The new concrete stairway will provide access to the Library for years to come.

Safety handrails are being fabricated and will be installed very soon.

Current construction at the Rosenberg Library is focused on ensuring our patrons can safely navigate the perimeter of the building and entrance. With the stairs completed, the sidewalk repair project is now in full swing. The unlevel grade and tilted pavement is being removed and replaced.

Down Came the Walls

One word has been whispered, spoken, and even exclaimed more than any other at the Rosenberg Library this week: “Wow!”

On Tuesday, February 15, 2011, all entering the library were greeted by a renovated and open space void of the particle board, plastic tarp, and steel frame construction barrier walls.

Over Valentine’s Day weekend, the temporary walls standing guard between the Gibson Reading Room and the old cage area during renovations came down. The response of staff and patrons has been unanimous…we love it!

This phase of renovations has opened up the grand hallway between the north and south staircases. The regal marble flooring continues from entryway to just before the Gibson Rooms at which point a semi-rotunda of marble meets new sage vintage vine patterned carpeting.

With the walls of renovation removed, the Gibson Reading Room and old cage area (Gibson North) mirror each other, reflecting classic warmth and one-of-a-kind wood column partitions that were constructed from the original paneling of, and based upon the design of, the 3rd floor Fox Room’s original children’s department. The magazines and periodicals will move back from the old cage room into the Gibson Reading Room. The Friends of the Library book sale items will soon find a home in Gibson North (old cage).

Cherry Oak blinds now grace the windows of our 2nd floor children’s and circulation departments as well as the Gibson rooms. The floor in the reference section now sports crisp, slate colored carpeting. Renovations continue on the 3rd floor, though the Morgan Room, ideal for small group meetings, is once again open, and reservations for using the Morgan Room can be made online.

To complete flooring renovations on the 2nd level, the marble tiles will be polished and finished on Saturday, February 19th. The Rosenberg Library will be closing at 5:30pm to complete the marble floor preservation process.

Let there be light...coming soon!

These are the old tigers' heads, remarkably intact, taken by our director, John Augelli.

The work on our old wing of the Rosenberg Library progresses quickly. The tiger's heads have been removed, and the new ones have arrived, and are ready to be installed near the roof of the Rosenberg Library.

The first floor/basement has the windows cleared and ready for real sunlight to shine through. The Friends of the Rosenberg Library will have one, as well as the Technical Services department, which has not seen natural light for several decades!

The new signs explaining the construction project, and the lack of parking space are only some of the pains of this construction.

We look forward to the completion this fall!