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Blue Hills Library Branch Closed

By Steve Goode

March 19, 2009

The Blue Hills Avenue branch of the Hartford Public Library is shuttered again.

But neighborhood residents shouldn't storm city hall or demand the heads of library officials just yet, because this closure has nothing to do with politics or budgets.

Back around Christmas time, water and fecal matter from recurring flooding in bathrooms in the branch's basement had led to foul odors and blooming mold between the exterior and interior walls of the branch. The air in the library was tested and found to be unsuitable for customers or staff to breathe. (Photo from Hartford Public Library)

Library Deputy Adminstrator Matthew Poland said that they expected the library to be closed for about 60 days for cleanup and repairs, which would have put the branch on schedule to be reopened this week or next at the latest.

But last Friday engineers tested the air again and determined that it was still unsuitable. Cleaning crews spent several days this week in the building and the air will be tested again next week.

Poland said that they are going to give the situation a couple more weeks to be resolved, and if it isn't they will contact neighborhood groups and the city council and begin looking for an alternate site to reopen the branch.