A new book drop stands in front of the closed Oak Bay library branch as asbestos removal is underway inside.
Asbestos led to an abrupt closure of the Greater Victoria Public Library (GVPL) branch during operating hours on Jan. 26.
During routine testing ahead of planned minor renovations to the library branch, one of two tests came back positive, explained David Graham, manager of facilities for Oak Bay. They had to assume the positive test was the accurate one, and embarked on aggressive air tests – six times the amount of air required – and determined there was no exposure.
“Because it’s a public building and I wanted to reassure the public, I had to do the testing well above minimum requirements,” Graham said.
He wanted to reassure residents it was, and is, safe.
With the library closed, the district seized the opportunity to remove known encapsulated – sealed and contained – asbestos from the site.
“We’re just doing removal, it’s just safer for the future. We won’t have to worry like this again,” Graham said.
The adjacent Monterey centre, apartments and volunteer services offices are not impacted.
The library will likely be closed the full 12 weeks, with the hope of making he minor renovations in that time as well – avoiding a future closure.
RELATED: Late fees waived as readers face 12-week closure of Oak Bay library
In the meantime, the Greater Victoria Public Library added a temporary drop-box outside Monterey Recreation Centre for locals to return items. The branch is so well-used that since it’s been in place, the box has required emptying about four times a day.
A popular perk of the regional library service is ordering books to pick up at a patron’s most convenient branch. All items on hold with Oak Bay as the pickup location are temporarily suspended – maintaining its position in the queue – while district and GVPL staff work out an alternative holds pickup point for patrons.
Library users can also change their pickup location online at gvpl.ca and drop off items at any GVPL branch.
Patrons will not incur late fees for library items previously returned at the Oak Bay branch.
christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
@van_reeuwyk
christine.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca
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