Editor's note: This story was updated on April 12 at 4:42 p.m. to include additional information from Pioneer Library Systems.
Norman Public Library Central will close indefinitely, the city of Norman announced on Friday.
According to a press release, the damage to the facility is “extensive and severe,” missing its previously expected reopening in April. The release says the city attorney’s office will work with parties involved in the library’s remediation to create a full plan and timeline for reopening.
The release notes that recent rainfall has added to preexisting mold and that Cavins Construction Group continues to work with the city. Reports from Cavins Group can be found in the city’s remediation archive.
Around $900,000 has been spent on remediation services already, a $400,000 increase since March 22, according to the release. The release adds that staff will likely seek additional funding from the Norman City Council.
According to Tiffany Vrska, chief communications officer for Norman, additional updates will be available through the rolling updates website.
In an email to library card holders Friday afternoon, Pioneer Library System encouraged people to visit their pop-up library labs and other information stations in central Oklahoma.
History of Norman Public Library Central remediation
In November 2023, Norman hired Cavins Group to investigate water leak issues from Norman Public Library Central’s roof. Cavins Group discovered traces of mold, including black mold and fusarium, on each level of the facility.
On Nov. 28, Pioneer Library System Executive Director Lisa Wells said the Norman Public Library Central would be closed for five months while Cavins Group serviced the facility. She added all 64 of the library’s employees would be relocated to 11 other Pioneer Library System locations.
In February, Pioneer Library System opened a pop-up location at 121 S. Santa Fe Ave. The location houses limited services from Norman Public Library Central, including the Maker Lab and Movie Boxes.
On April 2, the Norman City Council met with Curtainwall Design Consulting, a design and consulting firm based in Dallas, in executive session to discuss findings from the remediation process.
Before the meeting, Vrska told OU Daily the library would remain closed until a build-back plan was established.
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd and Anusha Fathepure. Kylie Caldwell and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
