Due to ongoing flood-remediation measures, the New Canaan Library will remain closed to the public through Sunday, February 25th. All programs and meetings scheduled for this week are cancelled.
The cleanup team, led by Servicemaster, has been working all weekend to extract any remaining water which flooded a good portion of the floor on the main level of the Library building this past Saturday due to a leak in the fire sprinkler system.
As of today, most of the carpeting has been dried out and multiple industrial fans have been installed throughout the building to reduce humidity to appropriate levels.
According to senior staff, the Library team rescued all the books in the Children’s Room and Concourse area. All materials are being carefully examined and will not return to shelves until a thorough assessment of their condition is complete.
“While we have suffered some paper and electronics losses, the good news is that very little damage was done to our books and materials. Our dedicated staff rallied to the rescue over the holiday weekend to move books and files, I couldn’t be prouder of the team and their incredible efforts to pitch in during this emergency,” praised Kim McNally, the new President & CEO of the Library.
The Library stated it is taking all necessary measures to ensure a safe reopening of the building as soon as possible and reports that patrons may not return to the building until the Library’s emergency sprinkler system is back to being operational and all other necessary inspections are complete.
The Library requests that patrons please refrain from returning books to the Library at this time to allow staff members to concentrate on the extensive reshelving process which lies ahead. There will be no fines assessed for overdue items during this closure and all checked-out items will be backdated. Patrons can renew their items, apply for or renew a new library card and ask questions by emailing circulation@newcanaanlibrary.org. The Library’s digital collection is still available at newcanaanlibrary.org.
“We hope to be back open for business by next week and will provide a further update by the weekend. Thank you, New Canaan, for your patience and good wishes during this challenging time,” said McNally.
New Canaan Library has been the community’s intellectual and cultural center for more than a century. Today, the Library continues to be the community’s core resource for learning and innovation, with an emphasis on transformational knowledge, lifelong learning, and connections. With an extraordinary print and electronic collection, dynamic programming, the latest technology, and dedicated communal and quiet study spaces, the Library welcomes visitors on site and online in search of knowledge, exploration, and enrichment.
