Mars Area Public Library remains closed indefinitely due to leaks
Despite setting a tentative reopening date of Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Mars Area Public Library is still closed until further notice.
Aside from a brief reopening on Feb. 5, the library building has been closed since Feb. 3 due to water damage sustained during last month’s winter storm.
“The repair process has proven to be more involved than anticipated,” said library director Janae Callihan. “We are still actively removing wet insulation and damaged drywall in affected areas. The majority of the work remains focused on structural materials such as insulation, drywall and flooring in impacted areas.
“The library board is actively obtaining quotes and evaluating the appropriate scope of work for external and internal fixes,” she said.
Callihan said there is no confirmed reopening date for the library. She added that speedy progress on repairs to the building will depend on favorable weather conditions.
“The repairs are somewhat of a domino effect,” Callihan said. “Before we can fully restore walls and carpeting, we must first complete preventive measures to ensure no additional leaks occur, which involves at least two nice weather days, something February seems determined not to give us. While we all want a speedy reopening, we are committed to doing this correctly rather than rushing the process and risking further issues.”
Although the building is closed, the library has kept some services available for cardholders, including full access to the Overdrive catalog, which offers a collection of e-books, movies and audiobooks to borrow. Cardholders can also request holds on physical material through the library’s website and pick up their materials at the parking lot.
While most of the library is off-limits, some of its previously scheduled events are still taking place in the library’s community room, including the board game club on Saturday, Feb. 21. However, other events — mainly those targeted at children — have been moved elsewhere.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we have moved programming for our littlest learners to the Adams Township Municipal Building,” Callihan said.
Residents can make a financial contribution to the rebuilding effort by visiting the library’s website and clicking “Donate Here.” The page will allow residents to make a donation through their credit or debit card.
