Library buildings and grounds: Structural and mechanical care-Continued Additions-Continued

Clean and restore ceiling and wall decorations, main building..

This item is requested to permit continuation of work of this nature completed in the last few years in decorated areas located primarily in the west side of the main building, including the great hall. Work remaining to be done includes restoration in the 4 corner pavillons of the 2d floor and some sections of the ground floor corridors. Installation of floor tile, main building..

Funds are needed for the replacement of cork floor tile on decks A, B, 37 and 38, main building. Present tile on decks A and B was installed in 1929 and on decks 37 and 38 in 1927, is now in very bad condition, and should be replaced to facilitate maintenance and eliminate safety hazards. There are approximately 39,000 square feet of floor tile to be replaced under this allotment.

Improved lighting, office areas, both buildings.

Funds allowed in fiscal year 1964 provided for the replacement of the inefficient lighting in the perimeter office areas, 1st floor, annex. No funds were requested for this purpose in 1965, but an allotment of $35,000 allowed for 1966 is providing for the improvement of lighting in office areas on the ground floor of the main building, including 2 reading rooms, as well as lighting in offices on the 1st floor, main building, west-north curtain. In order to continue the program, $50,000 is requested for 1967, an increase of $15,000 over 1966. This increase is desired in order to permit some acceleration in the program and to help offset increases in the costs of materials and labor that have occurred since the original allotment in fiscal year 1964.

As indicated, funds allowed in 1964 and 1966 for improved lighting in office areas will permit replacements on 2 floor levels primarily, including reading rooms. This stiil leaves a considerable amount of office and reading room space still to be covered in the program. The funds requested for fiscal year 1967 would be used to continue the work in the main building above the ground floor. Aside from offices above the ground floor, there are the law, prints and photographs, and congressional reading rooms which are also in need of improved illumination.

A survey conducted in typical offices, reading rooms and work areas revealed foot-candle readings ranging from a low of 8 to a high of 62-foot-candles, as compared to present-day accepted standards of 74 foot-candles for library work.

Clean and refinish bronze doors, west entrance, 1st floor, main building..

This request is to permit the cleaning and refinishing of the 3 pairs of massive sculptured bronze doors at the west entrance to the main building, 1st floor. This work was last done in 1960 but needs to be done again as the doors are again becoming corroded and discolored from exposure to the weather and dirt conditions in the air. Air conditioning, deck 1, south annex.

This area contains the Library's master negative microfilm collection of numerous newspapers, books, periodicals, manuscripts, music, prints and photographs, and similar material. The collection consists of 76,911 rolls of microfilm. The building's central airconditioning system, installed in 1938, is not designed to maintain temperatures between 45° and 55° F. and between 15 and 25 percent relative humidity, which are the temperature and humidity conditions necessary for the proper preservation of the microfilm. purpose of this request, therefore, is to obtain funds to install the necessary supplementary air-conditioning equipment to maintain the conditions desired.

Replacement of garage doors, east side, main building

The

These sectional wooden doors, 5 in number, are over 30 years old, weatherbeaten, warped, in generally bad condition, and can no longer be maintained in reliable operating condition. Reusing existing motors and drive mechanisms, which are still in satisfactory condition, it is proposed to replace the old doors with modern metal sectional ones. Fireproofing and duct openings, annex.

Exposed drain pipes, air-conditioning duct work, electrical conduit and steam and water pipes penetrate walls at numerous points in the annex subbasement and cellar. At a number of locations there are openings around the pipes, ductwork, and conduit where they pass through the walls. In order to prevent the passage of fire through these openings, funds are requested to close them up with asbestos or other suitable fireproofing materials.

Roof repair, main building..

In fiscal year 1957, major repairs were made on the roof of the main building, consisting mainly of the replacement of 4 large skylights with copper roofing, replacement of gutters, valleys, roof drains, and glass, and the patching of existing copper roofing. There was not, however, a large-scale replacement of copper roofing at that time. Several leaks have now developed in various places on the roof, especially in areas not covered under the 1957 contract. Funds are requested to buy materials and employ temporary sheet metal mechanics to correct these defects in the roof so that it will provide more adequate protection to the interior of the building, including Library collections now exposed to the danger of damage from water seepage.

Pointing exterior stonework, main building.

This item is requested to provide funds to point up the brickwork on the building wall and arches in the moat-like passageway located below ground, which encircles most of the exterior of the main building and the areas adjacent to it. Although it needs some attention, the building wall is in fairly good conditions, but the brick arches spanning the passageway are in a serious state of deterioration. About 90 percent of the mortar joints in the arches need to be raked out and pointed up with new materials to prevent possible movement of the arches from continued action of weathering and the freezing and thawing cycle. So far as is known, no work of this nature, except minor emergency repairs, has been done to this brickwork since the main building was erected in 1897.

$10,000

30,000

50,000

2,500

10,000

3,500

3,500

5,000

9.500

Library buildings and grounds: Structural and mechanical care-Continued

Additions-Continued

Replacement of book conveyors, annex.

The 2 vertical conveyors which provide book delivery service for the 12 deck levels of the north and south bookstacks in the annex have been in operation since 1939 and are now in bad condition. They are subject to frequent break downs, which delay service, some repair parts are no longer available, and others are obtainable only after long delays while they are being specially fabricated at excessive cost. The conveyor for the north stack levels has been continuously out of service for several months and an order for repair parts placed last July has not yet been delivered (as of Mar. 15, 1966) because the parts are obsolete, no longer included in the manufacturer's normal stock, and have to be made up by special order, including the production of new dies. Safety devices originally designed to prevent injury to personnel and books are now outmoded and ineffective. Replacement of these conveyors is needed to provide proper service to reading and study room patrons, congressional and other Government offices, and the Library staff.

Studies have been made of the feasibility of overhauling the present equipment, but since replacement parts are not available and since parts used in modern conveyor systems are not compatible with this old equipment, it has been determined that overhauling this equipment would not be economically or technically practical. The funds requested for 1967 are based on dismantling and removing the existing conveyors, installing new conveyors, related construction work, and engineering and design services. Replacement of 3 passenger elevators in bookstacks, main building.

This item is requested to provide for the replacement of passenger elevator No. 3 (north bookstack, 9 decks). No. 4 (south bookstack, 9 decks), and No. 9 (southeast bookstack, 13 decks). These elevators are used for the transfer of books and other Library material from the bookstacks to various destinations, for their return to the shelves, and by Library and other personnel. About 30 years ago these elevators were overhauled by a company which is no longer in existence. The devices installed at that time are now obsolete, patterns have been destroyed, and when repair parts are needed they have to be custom made, which causes undue delay and excessive costs. Doors on the elevators are power operated but lack any form of safety protection and the cars have only single automatic pushbutton controls, which enables 1 passenger to control the car and bypass several floors with passengers waiting to go in the same direction.

In order to provide efficient service in the bookstacks, eliminate safety hazards, and reduce repair costs, funds are requested for 1967 to replace existing equipment with modern, safe-selective-collective-type controls, modern master power door operators with proper door protective devices, top-of-car operating devices and all other safety equip ment necessary to meet present-day elevator code requirements. Installation of additional elevator, annex..

When the annex was built nearly 30 years ago, only 2 passenger elevators were provided on the east side of the annex (4 were installed at that time on the west side), but 2 additional elevator shafts on the east side were installed for future use. Although the Library staff in the annex outnumbers that in the main building by about 1,800 to 1,000, there are the same number of elevators in both buildings for general passenger use. The annex elevators also serve more floors in the annex than they do in the main building except for 2 in the latter location, with the result that waiting time in the annex, especially on the east side, is greater than it is in the main building. Recently the entire annex 4th floor, previously a storage area, has been renovated and converted to office space. When fully occupied in the near future, traffic to this floor will increase greatly, but only 4 of the 6 passenger elevators can stop at this level. In order to provide better service for the increasing staff, for the public who use the 7 reading rooms in the annex, for visitors to the Copyright Office and users of private research facilities, and others, it is proposed to install a new elevator in 1 of the empty shafts, to be tied in with the other 2 automatically operated elevators on the east side for automatic group operation of all 3 elevators. Construction changes, cellar areas, annex.

At present, the Library has very little storage space on the premises to house such items as semiactive records not yet due for disposal, reserve stocks of publications, materials for the collections awaiting screening and selection, and a reserve stock of furniture and equipment to fill urgent requests. The annex 4th floor, previously a storage area, has recently been converted to badly needed office space, and numerous cellar areas in both buildings have in recent years been taken over for staff work space or, in the case of the main building, occupied by the new heating, cooling, and ventilating equipment. There is, therefore, a critical shortage of storage space to house materials, furniture, and equipment needed to support the day-to-day operations of the Library. This item is a request for funds to make necessary construction changes in unfinished areas adjacent to the cellar area in the northeast, north, and northwest sections of the building. Work contemplated includes leveling and grading the dirt floor, pouring a slab to furnish a concrete floor throughout, better illumination, adequate ventilation, and improved access. Installation of fire sprinkler systems, cellar areas, annex.

This item is requested to install fire sprinkler systems in annex cellar areas where none now exist but should because of the fire hazards involved in these locations: room assigned for the storage of oil used in the maintenance of mechanical equipment, east end of tunnel between the 2 buildings used for the temporary parking of box trucks filled with wastepaper awaiting pickup by the waste paper contractor; receiving and shipping dock at the subbasement, entire annex garage area; and small storage room next to electrical substation A in the northwest section of the cellar. It is also proposed to replace old type sprinkler heads in the paper baling room with modern ones and relocate them for more effective and efficient coverage. These improvements are a continuation of a program to provide proper fire protection for the buildings, their occupants, and the valuable materials housed in them. These improvements have been recommended by the safety engineer for the Architect of the Capitol and are endorsed by the Librarian.

$200,000

136,000

125,000

115,000

30.000

Library buildings and grounds: Structural and mechanical care-Continued Additions Continued Materials handling and cleaning equipment...

The following items are requested for the purposes indicated: 1 set of storage batteries to replace a set about 10 years old in an electric truck; 1 battery-powered floor scrubbing machine to supplement existing equipment and thus provide more frequent floor cleaning; 4 magnesium flat trucks used with the electric truck to replace 4 wooden trucks over 30 years old; 2 floor buffing machines to supplement existing equipment and thus provide better floor maintenance service; 2 vacuum water pickup machines to supplement 1 existing machine and thus provide better protection in the event of flooding conditions; 1 manual hydraulic lift to replace one about 25 years old and now wornout; 2 batteryoperated, mail-distribution trucks to speed up the distribution of an ever-increasing volume of mail; 2 heavy-duty vacuum cleaners to supplement 2 existing machines and thus provide better coverage in the important book-cleaning operation. Repairs and replacements, sidewalks surrounding main building

$35,000 provided in fiscal year 1966, although not yet under contract, will, it is estimated, permit the necessary repair and replacement of approximately 3,500 square yards of concrete sidewalk on the grounds of the main building. A good deal more needs to be done, however, and it is therefore requested that $35,000 be allowed again in fiscal year 1967 to continue, if not substantially complete, this essential work. Many cracked and broken sections of sidewalk now remain, which create safety hazards and expose the Government to the dangers of costly damage suits under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Only temporary patching is now possible, but this does not hold up under various traffic and weather conditions.

Total estimate for 1967

$10,000

35,000

+839, 200

1,538,000

Mr. ANDREWS. I note from page 96 of the committee print that this item has had a checkered history of ups and downs, which I suppose is somewhat from the nature of the item?

Dr. MUMFORD. Yes. As we make progress in the program of restoring and preservation of various parts of the old building, including a new heating and ventilating system and plumbing and repairing the floor and the mosaic ceiling, as the work has progressed some years the cost has been more than other years. The work has been spread over 2 or 3 years. I think this would account for the unevenness of it.

INCREASES REQUESTED

Mr. ANDREWs. I wish you would take up each of the items of increase and comment on them briefly.

Dr. MUMFORD. I think the first six items, since they refer to the staff that are on the Architect of the Capitol's payroll, which we supervise, perhaps the Architect of the Capitol would wish to speak

to them.

WAGE RATE INCREASES

Mr. ANDREWS. Is that this wage rate increase?

Mr. STEWART. That is right.

Mr. ANDREWS. Wage rate increases authorized by Public Law 763, 83d Congress?

Mr. STEWART. Yes, sir.

Mr. ANDREWs. An increase of $12,847?

Mr. STEWART. That is right.

Mr. ANDREWS. How many workers are involved in this?

Mr. HENLOCK. Sixty-two.

Mr. ANDREWS. What type of employees?

Mr. HENLOCK. Mechanics and helpers.

Mr. ANDREWS. They are carried on the Architect of the Capitol's

payroll?

Mr. HENLOCK, Yes, sir.

Mr. ANDREWS. And assigned to the Library of Congress?

Mr. HENLOCK. That is right.

Mr. ANDREWS. Are you asking for an increase in the 62 laborers and mechanics for the Library of Congress in 1967?

Mr. HENLOCK. No, sir.

Mr. ANDREWs. This is a mandatory pay increase?

Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, sir.

Mr. ANDREWs. The next item?

WITHIN-GRADE PROMOTIONS

Mr. HENLOCK. $353 for within-grade promotions authorized by the Classification Act of 1949, as amended, for employees compensated under that act. That is mandatory.

OVERTIME AND HOLIDAY PAY ALLOTMENT

The next item is $3,500 for overtime and holiday pay. The allotment for this purpose is increased from $101,500 to $105,000 and results from increases in basic pay rates.

Mr. ANDREWS. What do you mean by overtime or holiday pay? Mr. HENLOCK. Saturday and Sunday work, or work in excess of 40 hours a week or 8 hours a day. That must be compensated at time and a half. Holiday pay is for work performed on a day designated by law as a legal holiday.

Mr. ANDREWS. Do you try to save that overtime?

Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, sir. That is the way we are able to hold down the force to 62 employees.

Mr. ANDREWS. Next item.

CONTRIBUTION TO RETIREMENT FUND

Mr. HENLOCK. On the contribution to the retirement fund, that is adjusted yearly. To meet the Government's part, we need $1,400 more next year.

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, AIR-CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION

SYSTEMS

For maintenance and repairs, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems, you may recall, in the last several years, we have been installing a new heating and air-conditioning system in the Main Library Building. Additional equipment under the third or final phase of this program, which will soon be completely installed, will provide service for the office areas in the south perimeter of the building, east front, part of the west front, and decks 37 and 38. An increase of $4,600 is requested to cover anticipated costs for the maintenance and upkeep of additional equipment now installed and being installed under the final phase of the air-conditioning program. Mr. ANDREWS. Is the system working well, Dr. Mumford? Dr. MUMFORD. It is.

Mr. ANDREWS. Are all your buildings air conditioned?

Dr. MUMFORD. Yes, sir, except for a few small areas in the Main Library Building. The annex was air conditioned when it was built. The new system in the main building, installed over the last 2 or 3 years, is now nearly finished and works very well.

Mr. ANDREWS. Next item.

SUPPLIES AND MATERIALS

Mr. HENLOCK. For supplies and materials we are asking an increase from $25,000 to $35,000-an increase of $10,000. This is an item, the cost of which has been rising each year. It ran $33,000 in 1964 and $35,000 last year and in order to put the allotment on a current basis we are asking for $35,000 in the coming year.

Mr. ANDREWS. At the bottom of page 118 you say you spent $35,000 last year and expect to spend that much again in the current year. Why do you need an increase to bring the allotment up to $35,000? Why would you need the $10,000 increase?

Mr. HENLOCK. Because, now, we are actually having to draw on the general fund for the Library and shortcut other items. Mr. ANDREWS. This is a realistic figure?

Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, sir.

Mr. ANDREWS. Next item.

ANNUAL CARE OF GROUNDS

Mr. HENLOCK. Annual care of grounds. The annual allotment is $2,800 and this would bring it to $3,300. The $500 increase is a nonrecurring item for 1967 and is requested for the purpose of obtaining a new generator set to operate grass trimmers and other electric power tools on the grounds where electric outlets are not now available. Mr. ANDREWS. Next item.

REPAIRS TO MARBLE FLOOR TILE

Mr. HENLOCK. Repairs to marble floor tile, main building. This is the 11-year allotment. We ask in the budget $31,000 for 1967 but due to actual physical working conditions in the building Dr. Mumford recommends we reduce our estimate to $10,000 for 1967 and defer part of the work in the west lobby to a future date. So the request, instead of $31,000, would drop to $10,000.

Mr. ANDREWS. Are you doing that floor tile work as quickly as you can?

Mr. HENLOCK. Yes, sir; subject to the Library's convenience. That is right, is it not, Dr. Mumford?

Dr. MUMFORD. Yes. The first and second floors have been done. This was for the completion of the ground floor corridors. As Mr. Henlock has indicated, we have to use some of this corridor space for office work and because of a large amount of traffic it was not felt that the floor work could be done very effectively.

Mr. ANDREWS. You are offering to cut that item $21,000, and without objection we accept your recommendation. Next item.

CLEANING AND RESTORING CEILING AND WALL DECORATIONS

Mr. HENLOCK. For the past few years we have been cleaning and restoring ceiling and wall decorations in the main building. This item of $10,000 is to permit continuation of work of this nature completed in the last few years in decorated areas located primarily in the west side of the main building, including the great hall. Work remaining to be done includes restoration in the four corner pavilions of the second floor and some sections of the ground floor corridors.