Next Stop: First Floor!

The elevator shaft is now lined with cinder blocks up to the ground level.

 

 

Going Up!

With the base of the shaft in place, workers began construction of the shaft itself. It will only go up from here.

Century Old Newspapers Found in Wall

When workers removed a basement window frame, they found rolled-up copies of The Scranton Times from late 1910 stuffed behind the wooden slats. It is believed they were intended to serve as insulation.

Newspaper with the gloves used by a librarian to extract it from the wall.

This issue is dated November 12, 1910

The issues were found behind wooden slats. Here you can see a newpaper peaking out.

Outside Looking In / Inside Looking Out

Yesterday workers poked a hole in the foundation of the library (intentionally). An opening into the basement will allow the elevator mechanism to interact with the elevator itself and provide basement access for authorized elevator riders. (The library's basement area is used for staff offices.)

Worker admires his handiwork by peering into the basement from outside.

The hole expanded quickly. The photographer is inside looking out.

First Signs of Shaft Construction

First it was demolition. Then it was excavation. This week we made the official transition to construction as workers began pouring concrete for the base of the elevator shaft. From here the only way to go is up.

The base of the elevator shaft takes shape.



The library received a shipment of cinder blocks for the shaft.

Sounds of Progress

When you tell people you work in a library, the two things you hear most often are "You must get to read a lot of books" and "It sure must be quiet." Both are, of course, myths, but these days at the Albright "quiet" is especially scarce. This audio file gives you an idea of the sonorous sounds our patient patrons and staff have been enjoying recently. (Also available as a  .wav file if that is your preference.)




This is the culprit.



 

...but it is all worth it. This is a drawing of the proposed elevator structure.

 

Video Tour of Construction Site

We hope you enjoy this video tour of the elevator construction site.