Derek Holst, of Holst Construction, paused to look over his worker's efforts on the top of the Staples City Hall and Library building under construction at Sixth Street and Second Avenue. Holst has the contract for the building carpentry and materials, as well as the bid for metal stud framing and drywall. Work on the $2-1/2 million project is progressing under the supervision of the Northway Construction Services, the construction management firm. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford)

Flying sparks Troy Holsapple, a carpenter working for Holst Construction, cut out lengths of metal studs Monday afternoon at the site of the new Staples City Hall and Library. He was working in the room that will be the library when the building opens next spring. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford)