It could be another three to five weeks before the downtown central library is fully re-opened following an arson attack.
The third floor of the library, which houses a unique collection of business and science books and a high tech computer lab, had to be closed Monday after a fire was deliberately set in a washroom.
The floor has approximately 180,000 items that sustained smoke damage.
“No fire or water damage but there is smoke and soot everywhere,” says Grant Kaiser, Library marketing and strategic services. “It’s not just the collection of books, cds, dvds, but computers, carpets and walls. A major cleanup needs to be done.”
Officials with the library say the total cost of the clean up could hit $400,000. Criminal charges are pending in the case.
