Dickson Library during the rectification works. It suffered extensive water damage in February. Photo: Supplied.
Dickson Library will partially reopen next Friday (6 July) but works to rectify major water damage to the building sustained in February’s deluge that caused flooding across Canberra will continue for another six weeks. The library had been closed for weeks before a notice advising of urgent building works was posted on the window.
Transport Canberra and City Services said the public would have limited access to library services – such as picking up requests, borrowing and returning books from a limited collection, using public computers and reading newspapers – during normal operating hours. The external return chutes would also be in use.
But a large section of the library will not be open to the public and will be boarded up to allow work to safely continue.
The directorate said the water damage at the library was more substantial than first identified and this partial closure would allow additional work, including replacement of some of the flooring and improvements to subfloor ventilation.
It said that the risk from bonded asbestos had been assessed but it was only present in bonded sheeting in the library’s ceiling and the work would not disturb that area.
As a precaution, all public areas of the building had also been tested for mould and were found to be not above normal levels and deemed safe.
Subsequent testing found mould in the subfloor and these areas would be professionally cleaned.
Libraries ACT will continue to investigate options for a temporary location to hold Story Time and Giggle and Wiggle sessions.
For enquiries about the library, phone 6205 9000 or visit the library website www.library.act.gov.au.
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