Week 134: Countway Updates for January

Construction Update

This week, the contractors prepared for the site containment and abatement work. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday the crew was onsite from 5-9am to start the temporary duct work down on L1 and building a wall to block off the construction area from the Info Desk/atrium area on L1. The third shift (11pm to 6am) will go through mid-February. Abatement of the asbestos, which is the noisy work, will start Jan 18th. A dumpster will be installed on the Huntington side of the building near the freight elevator and some fencing with signage (Walsh Brothers logo) announcing the project. Also beginning next week, they will start the removal of shelving and other demolition work. The library will be closing the month of January and February at 11pm Sunday-Thursday to accommodate the third shift work. The crew will primarily use the Freight elevator and Gordon Hall as entrances. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Luciana.

MLK Day

On Monday, January 16th (MLK Day), the library will be open and staffed with LHTs and Security normal business hours. In the morning, GreenerU will be onsite to install LED lighting on L2 and the 2nd floor. Fred from HMS Engineering and Construction will escort the workers into the proper office spaces. CHOM will have a Security detail when GreenerU performs the work on L2. Staff with offices that are directly impacted from this project have already been contacted by Luciana.

Upcoming Town Hall

The Harvard Library Employee Survey will be open between January 17th and January 31st, 2023. The purpose of the survey is to measure how you perceive your work environment, including how valued you feel, by providing a fully confidential way to give feedback about your experiences as employees in the context of your department, library, and the broader Harvard Library system. Countway is hosting a Town Hall information and Q&A session with a member of the Survey Advisory Group (Emily) on Wednesday, January 25th at 12:00 before our 1:00 staff meeting. This will take place in the 1st floor classrooms and lunch will be served. Please join us to learn more and ask questions!

Strategic Planning Process Continuing on Wednesday January 18

Maureen Sullivan, our strategic planning consultant, will be joining us again this coming Wednesday 1/18 to help us kick off the teamwork that will lead us to our strategic priorities for the next five years. The session will begin at noon in the 1st floor classrooms with lunch. Then, Maureen will lead us in an overview of team dynamics followed by the four teams having the opportunity to meet together for the first time. Len and I are excited by the enthusiasm of all staff as we move forward in the process that will define our work and goals that we believe will further define our overall commitment to our users and our community.

 

Elaine