<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1hkBnh_0wCRj9yt00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1hkBnh_0wCRj9yt00" width="1500" height="1125" ><figcaption>On Oct. 10th, a U-Haul van was used to transport library materials into storage while the building undergoes repairs and cleaning.</figcaption></figure>On Sept. 12, Gatesville City Manager Brad Hunt released a press release, which stated that the Gatesville Public Library would be temporarily closed for maintenance concerns.In the press release, Hunt explained, “This morning, during normal library hours, a patron advised staff of apparent water damage to two books found on shelves. This discovery, along with some small areas of water damage found on some sheet rock in the past week, equated to an urgent maintenance issue and caused the temporary closure of the library, through at least Wednesday, Sept. 18. The cause of this previously unseen water damage is likely related to roof damage sustained in severe weather events that occurred in spring of this year.”Librarian Director Shea Harp said, “We first started noticing the leaking and we moved all the books out of the way, cleaned everything up and made sure the books were dry, and threw away books that couldn’t be salvaged.” Harp said that several thousands of books had been damaged by the water leak and mold.At the Sept. 24 City Council meeting, Hunt said that Lone Star Mold Testing Company (contracted by the City of Gatesville) conducted mold testing, including air testing, to determine whether mold was an issue related to the known water damage. Lone Star’s air quality and other testing parameters listed in their report indicated that the library remains free of unacceptable levels of mold, and less costly and time-consuming means of abatement than would otherwise be required for “black mold” are acceptable.Hunt continued, “Accordingly, we are taking steps to inspect all books and materials, clean all surfaces, and abate the known issues at the library. We will inspect each item prior to restocking, as well as clean or replace all the furniture and fixtures in the building itself. Our intent is to reopen safely for limited services, at an alternate location to be announced, as soon as possible.”Concerning the financial impact on the library, Hunt said, “The total estimated assets in the Gatesville Library are valued at over $800,000. Our preliminary estimate of loss due to damage is at about 10%.” Hunt said that the cost for rehabilitation would be approximately $250,000.“The public needs their library back as soon as possible. We continue to work diligently on the library issues. In the past week, we have met with contractors and are working on a remediation plan and a cost estimate for repairs, as well as a timeline for re-opening partial services for the library,” Hunt said.During the Oct. 8th city council meeting, it was reported by financial supervisor Mike Halsema, “We are working as fast as we can to address the library. Librarian Shea Harp has been putting in countless hours as well as her staff, and they’re getting there.”Halsema reported that contractors visited the library for a second time and noticed that the bookshelves needed to be replaced, which also raised the proposal to another $50,000. “It will be a lot of labor to remove, and what that will entail is the contractors will actually sub that out to a sub-contractor,” he said.The city manager said that, “Remediation and the rehabilitation are two different projects, and you want to do it in the right order, so you don’t put things back in an environment that is still not ideal in terms of humidity and with existing spores of mold and the temperature. It is a big puzzle at this point.”The recommendation was to take the shelves out of the building because the environment is still not conducive for preventing mold, and, if the shelves were put back where they first were, it might grow more mold on the shelves according to Hunt.As of Oct. 16th, Hunt said that librarian Shea Harp reported, “These past few weeks have been a whirlwind of activity with preparing the library for contractors to come in. Library employees have finished their initial inspection of all materials in the building and have moved the passing books to their new location at the Public Works department.”Harp continued, “On Oct. 10th, the city rented a U-Haul to transport materials with the help of the Public Works, Parks and Recreation, Building, and Civic Center departments – this was able to be completed in three days.”“The library is now focused on marking the damaged books in the system and moving them to their temporary offices in City Hall. Details on the new library location will come once they have moved in and have had a chance to get situated,” Harp said.It has been reported that the most heavily damaged area of the library included the children’s section and the genealogy room. It was also reported that the library restoration and re-opening would be pushed to the early months of 2025.</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

City library remains closed as more damage is discovered

On Sept. 12, Gatesville City Manager Brad Hunt released a press release, which stated that the Gatesville Public Library would be temporarily closed for maintenance concerns. In the press release, Hunt explained, “This morning, during normal library hours, a patron advised staff of apparent water damage to two books found on shelves. This discovery, along with some small areas of water damage found on some sheet rock in the past week, equated to an urgent maintenance issue and caused the temporary closure of the library, through at least Wednesday, Sept. 18. The cause of this previously unseen water damage is likely related to roof damage sustained in severe weather events that occurred in spring of this year.”