We continue to follow the stages of the construction of the National Library of Belarus (NLB) and the events associated with it, based on the periodical press materials.
Construction Routine
The construction of the National Library has been delayed due to changes in the original plan: the 2nd floor is being rebuilt as a presidential center.
Over the first months of 2005, the most difficult process was carried out - the striking, that is, the removal of 28 jacks and the dismantling of temporary metal structures, which supported the bulk of the high-rise book repository, taking on some of its weight. After the erection of the main structure, they have to be dismantled.
Before dismantling, BNTU specialists, who monitored the settlement of the building under construction, measured the settlement at the corners. Such surveys have accompanied the whole process of the striking.
After all the supporting structures were removed, it turned out that the settlement of the building was almost two times less than normal. There is a monthly shrinkage of 2 millimeters; in addition, it is uniform, without distortions. In other words, the foundation for the building is absolutely secure.
The book depository is glazed using spider technology.
Spider, or planar, glazing is a relatively new technology of non-structural glazing, in which the glass is fastened with routels ("glass holders") and spiders (spatial brackets), which are connected through openings in the corners of the glass panels. It provides a perfectly flat facade surface with maximum light transmission effect, creates a panoramic view inside the structure. At the same time, the technology is very secure with seemingly weightless and fragile nature of the structure.
Large-scale spider technology has been used for the first time in Belarus specifically on the NLB building. The glass was originally planned to be silver, with a mirror effect, but the architectural solution had to be changed – the glass is now transparent.
They start to cover the stylobate with granite. But you won't be able to admire it just yet: the granite slabs are immediately and carefully covered with a special film.
The construction is under the control of the president of the Republic of Belarus. Meetings are held to discuss various issues related to the new building. In 2003, Lukashenka takes part in laying of the foundation of the Library.
In 2005, on the day of the compulsory community cleanup day (April 23), head of state visited the construction site. The team he led, which included Head of the Presidential Administration, Minister of Culture, Chairperson of the Minsk City Executive Committee and Director of the NLB, worked on the roof of the conference hall for several hours, laying expanded clay concrete (60 cubic metres of the material were laid).
It is interesting:
The building has a lifespan of 500 years.
Seismic resistance – up to 6 points.
The building can withstand a violent storm.
Fire safety? "There is nothing to burn here," said the main architects. This is because non-combustible materials were used in the construction. In addition, the premises are equipped with a fire alarm and an automatic fire extinguishing system.
Getting ready to move
Preparations for the relocation began in 2003 and were expected to be completed in July 2005.
A collection check-up was carried out (in accordance with the work plan of the NLB). For the sake of readers, the phased conservation and packing of collections began with less-used documents (since September 2004). The subsequent parts of the collection were gradually withdrawn from active circulation (estimated end date: August 2005).
By the end of April, 40% of the NLB collection was ready for relocation. The plan was to close the Library to readers from July until the end of August and take care of packing and transporting the actively sought-after part of the collection.
However, the transfer of the collections to the new building has been delayed due to ongoing construction.
In the meantime, matters of routes, access roads, transport, unloading platforms and the number of people needed in the loading and unloading phases have been worked out. It would take about four hundred KamAZ trucks to move 8 million documents, weighing 2,240 tonnes, and 50 tonnes of the Library property.
The library in the old building continued to serve readers.
It is interesting:
Over 1,600 shelving units are to be used in the Library's new storage facility, and around 1,500 shelving units will be used in the reading rooms.
After the NLB relocated to its new building, its four former premises were taken over by the Ministry of Culture. Following the renovation of the interior space of the main building (Chyrvonaarmejskaja Street 9), the upper house of the Belarusian parliament, the Council of the Republic, moved there in 2012.
Entire Belarus is building
The construction continues in three shifts. Builders from different regions take part in it: Homiel, Salihorsk, Maladziechna and others.
A special order has been placed with the company "Homielstrojmateryjaly" to produce insulated linoleum for the Library with a mosaic pattern. The production is fast; the work is done in two shifts.
The company "Minskzhaliezabieton" has mastered the production of the original Donna paving slabs specifically for the NLB's pavement decoration. The slabs have a gap-shaped protrusion. 25 different shades allow different patterns and ornaments to be created.
The architects have designed a monument to Francysk Skaryna to greet readers at the Library's entrance. Long cast in bronze, it is waiting to be installed to the left of the main entrance.
It is interesting:
As of January 1, 2005, the Library's donation account had received 3,689,803,450 roubles, 48,803 euros, 519,566 dollars and 11,310 Russian roubles.
Comfort for readers, employees and ... books
The new Library building will have natural light.
The architects planned the reading rooms to face south-east so that readers, as well as the monitors, will be exposed to soft, diffused sunlight. These indirect rays will be more comfortable for books as well.
The above-ground book storage itself has advantages over those built underground. The space between the repository and the outside environment will be kept at a constant room temperature with minimal energy consumption, and corridors will be placed there.
A special chip will be attached to each book in the new building to protect it against theft. But the reader will also know where the publication he or she needs is at any time: in another reader's hands or on his or her way to the delivery desk.
Meanwhile…
A presentation of information resources from "K.G.Saur Verlag" (Germany) and "Wiley" was held at the NLB on February 17.
The area around the Library - between Skaryna Avenue, Filimonau Street and Starabarysauski Trakt - is a busy place from morning till night, including weekends, where the workers of the Road-Bridge Construction and Infrastructure Improvement Department of the Minsk City Executive Committee are building a bridge over the river and a park area with trees and flower beds.
The grandiose construction of the new Library building has had an impact on the entire Ushod neighbourhood. Work has begun on painting the facades of residential buildings on Niezaliezhnasci Avenue and laying paving tiles in front of the main entrance to the Library. The major landscaping work, which started in the spring, will continue into the summer.
Information and Analytic Activity Department.
