Once a community agrees on a design, the construction response team moves the project along.
Before this team steps up, the design response team develops a concept for the library with the community. Only after the community approves the concept and design design, does it go to the construction response team.
Construction response team expertise
To begin with, this team makes a construction plan. Obviously, expertise helps. For that reason, the construction response team has:
- a building-cost estimator.
- a project manager.
- a builder contractor.
This team estimates costs, finds materials, and arranges partners and volunteers. Each community and each library site is unique, so the team ensures the plan is not only cost effective, but also fulfils the design the community agreed on.
Also, the team talks to community members before and during construction. We want the community to know who’s coming to the community, and what they’ll do.
Here’s the whole process.
- Envision. When you invite us to your community, we’ll begin a discussion to explore your needs and goals. We’ll send a design response team to meet and listen to your team. What challenges, opportunities, and priorities do you have? We’ll gather input and ensure everyone’s voice is heard. Together we’ll capture your vision.
- Design. Using insights from our discussion, we’ll ask the design response team’s architect to develop a library design that reflects your goals, community values, and cultural priorities. The design can use an existing structure or build a new space. Of course we’ll adjust the design and build consensus with you until the design captures what you want.
- Create. Once you’ve agreed on the design, our construction response team figures out the costs. Then we arrange partners, such as Rotary Clubs across BC, to supply the materials and construction equipment. We also find volunteers. In either case, we engage your community to make sure you’re ready for visitors to work with you on the building.
- Install. When the space is ready, our library response team installs the shelving, library furniture, books, and computer equipment. We work with the community members who will run the library to provide training, and support them in bringing your library to life. Then we leave the library in your capable hands.
Keeping costs low
To keep costs to an absolute minimum, the construction response team recruits volunteer trades people who give one to two weeks of their time. These volunteers come to the community to put together the buildings.
Many of the buildings use panels, because panels are quick to assemble into a building. Structurally insulated panels, or SIPs, are excellent for insulation in very cold climates, and extremely strong. Furthermore, they last a long time.
Once the buildings are ready, the library response team assists with books and media. They also install computers, screens, and Internet connections that let the library offer remote attendance to courses and conferences from its learning centre.