Repairs Will Force Library to Close Late in March

The Library of the Chathams will be forced to close for at least one day in March so repairs can be made to the library's electrical system.

The library was closed twice last month due to snow. But the repairs—which will bring the building's electrical system up to code—will require the facility to be shut down March 25 and, if necessary, March 26. The library's Board of Trustees made that announcement at a meeting last week.

Its members fear the closings could make things even more difficult for the growing number of area residents who have been using the library's resources.

"When the economy is bad, people come to the library more because it saves them money," said Library Director Diane O'Brien.

Last year, the library reported its highest circulation numbers since 2000, with an increase of over 35 percent. Officials attributed that number to the fact that people come to the library to search job listings, file for unemployment, work on school assignments or just borrow books, CDs or DVDs rather than buying or renting them from a retailer.

"There are people who come here every day to do certain things. It's going to make it very difficult," said O'Brien, who just finalized the date of the closing on Tuesday.

The electrical panel in question was installed four years ago when additions were made to the building. The problem was brought to the attention of the board and it has have been working to resolve it. To make matters more difficult, the company that installed it has gone out of business, forcing the library to draw up an entirely new contract to fix it.

For the repairs to take place, power throughout the entire building must be shut down. How long the library stays closed depends on how long it takes the workers to repair the panel and bring it up to code.

Repairs are expected to cost upwards of $17,000. That money will come out of the library's building fund.