Pioneer Library System filed a $150,000 lawsuit against the city of Norman and the Norman Municipal Authority for breach of contract and negligence regarding the Central Public Library.
Pioneer Library Services is asking for $75,000 from the city for breach of contract, $75,000 from the city and the authority for its claim of negligence and the cost of attorney fees, according to the lawsuit.
Pioneer Library System entered into a library services agreement with the city following the completion of the facility.
The library services agreement requires the city to provide utilities and maintenance, and maintain buildings in which library services may be provided. It also states the city is responsible for “its own negligence” in accordance with state law.
The agreement also requires the city to build or provide a suitable space for Pioneer Library System in the event the Central Library or any other city-owned properties become unfit.
“The Library Services Agreement was in effect at all relevant times,” the lawsuit reads. “City of Norman, however, has refused and continues to refuse to negotiate a renewal in good faith.”
The lawsuit reads Pioneer Library System filed tort claims in writing to the city and the authority, who did not accept or respond.
The lawsuit claims the city failed to perform several provision of the library services agreement including:
• Failing to provide and maintain suitable building in which library services may be provided
• Failing to provide utilities and maintenance and consult with Pioneer Library System periodically
• Failing to reimburse or pay Pioneer Library System its losses for transportation of materials, destruction or loss of materials and temporary housing of materials
• Failing to build or provide a suitable space for Pioneer Library System after the central library became uninhabitable due to mold
“Defendants owe a duty to (Pioneer Library System), as occupant of the Central Library, to use reasonable care in selecting and supervising contractors, as well as to ensure that work performed on the Central Library was adequately performed,” the lawsuit reads.
Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman wrote in a Facebook post Monday the city understands and respects Pioneer Library System's decision to file a lawsuit, noting the city has also filed a lawsuit against the construction company and other parties involved in the project.
Holman wrote the city is aligned with Pioneer Library System in reopening the Central Library as quickly as possible and since it was an active legal matter, he was limited in what he could publicly share.
"What I can share is that we are working diligently to protect the interests of our residents, hold those responsible accountable, and, most importantly, get this library, reopened for our community as soon as possible," Holman said. "The Norman Public Library Central is more than just a building — it's a gathering place, a resource for families and students, and a cornerstone of our downtown.
"Like many of you, I know how much it means to have this space open and accessible again, and we are committed to seeing that happen."
Background
The Norman Public Library Board met in June to discuss updates in the ongoing legal case against companies involved in the construction of the Norman Public Library Central.
The Norman Municipal Authority filed a case in October against the contracting, architect and program managing service companies hired for the project on claims including three breaches of contract and one instance of negligence.
In November 2023, Norman hired Cavins Construction Group to investigate water leak issues in the building’s roof. The group discovered traces of mold on each level of the facility.
Later that month, Pioneer Library System Executive Director Lisa Wells said the location would be closed for five months while Cavins Group services the facility. After Norman City Council met with a design and consulting firm to discuss findings from the remediation process in April, the city announced the location would close indefinitely.
Caroline Dulworth, Pioneer Library Systems branch services director, said in June the east library location at Alameda Street cannot accommodate all visitors while the central location is closed.
“They don’t have the space,” Dulworth said. “You can’t even get a parking place.”
Jayme Shelton, chair of the board, said the west library branch at Norman Center Court is also not big enough to serve as the public gathering space the central branch once was. He said the libraries serve the community by providing meeting rooms and study locations for Normanites.
In February, OU Daily reported the Pioneer Library System and city officials were searching for a facility to store the book collection. Dulworth said the book collection is still in the closed facility. Lisa Wells, Pioneer Library System executive director, told OU Daily in April a storage facility would allow the books to be put back into circulation, but the building would not be accessible to the public.
According to Kelly Sitzman, Pioneer’s director of communications, Pioneer wanted a facility that is close to their administrative building and processing service center.
Knighton listed possible storage locations for book collection, including multiple buildings on Main Street that are no longer in use. According to Knighton, the city’s hope is to not only find a storage location for the books, but to also get them back in circulation by putting them online, allowing them to be transferred between libraries in the system.
Despite frustrations with the lengthy remediation process, board members expressed hope for the reestablishment of the central library location.
“People who love libraries are idealists,” Ringus said. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
This story was edited by Natalie Armour. Sophie Hemker copyedited this story.
