As of Tuesday September 14, the library will be closed to the public due to a possible air quality issue. Town manager Christine Landes made the decision after mold was detected in the library basement.
Landes said that the mold has been sampled and sent out for testing, but it’s unknown when results will come in. In closing the building, she said she wanted to be “protective of the team” as well as the public, and err on the side of caution. The fall book sale has also been postponed.
Pivoting quickly, library staff will relocate to the Meetinghouse and re-open to patrons there, library director Lee Shaw said. For now, service will focus on access to newer books, Shaw said. He expects to open to the public in the Meetinghouse tomorrow, Wednesday September 15.
Open hours at the Meetinghouse will be Tuesday through Friday 11 am to 4 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm.
Shaw said that Storytime and other outdoor programs and events will continue in the gazebo.
Longer-term plans for services from the Meetinghouse and for any return to the library building will depend on test results and the extent of any needed remediation.
For updates, check the the library’s website http://www.newgloucesterlibrary.org and the town website newgloucester.com
— Joanne Cole
