With meteorologists forecasting temperatures flirting with the 90-degree mark this week, it might be wise to re-think a trip to the Carroll Gardens library.
Stifling heat and a busted air-conditioning system have forced the library at Union and Clinton streets to shut down this summer whenever the mercury rises to 90 degrees inside the facility.
“We regret ever having to close our doors to the community, but we need to ensure the safety of our customers and our staff,” BPL spokesperson Stefanie Arck told the Courier.
In recent days, the Carroll Gardens library has been open for business as usual but has shut down at 3 p.m. when internal temperatures have risen dangerously high.
“In almost every case when the building closed, it was for a portion of the day and not the whole day, but it did result in an unfortunate loss of hours of service,” Arck said.
The main floor of the Carroll Gardens library consists of four adult tables, six children’s tables and one toddler table.
Formerly located inside rented space at Smith and Carroll streets, the neighborhood library moved to its current Carnegie building back in 1905.
The dog days of August shouldn’t be a total washout at the Carroll Gardens library, however. Library officials say that they have finally been able to secure the necessary parts needed to fix the air-conditioning.
“We just got the part we needed to fix the HVAC system so work will begin immediately,” Arck said. “We’re projecting a mid-August completion date.”
The library is expected to remain open to the public during the repairs.
