DECATUR, AL (WAFF) -
The Decatur Public Library's central air system was in put in place when the library opened in 1974.
The library's director, Sandy McClandless, said they just can't go any longer without replacing it. The work will cause the library to be closed for six to eight weeks.
"Either you have heat or you have cold. You can freeze or you can fry," McClandless said.
She said they wanted to replace the heating and cooling system for years. The tipping point came after the 2011 tornado outbreak
"We had more problems when the system came back up. And that's when we decided this cannot wait. This has to be finished," she said.
She said fumes were released that caused an evacuation and that made a few people sick.
To get the new central air system replaced quickly, the library will close its doors to allow workers to do the job without having to work around the library's schedule. The last day open will be November 25th.
They hope to reopen in late January when the school kids typically come in bigger numbers.
People who need the free computer access will have to go elsewhere for a few weeks. There are library services people can access from home if they have internet services.
"Testing, homework, tutoring, all of that is online and will be available all the time," McClandless said.
She added that many books and magazines can be accessed on the library's website. Until the library closes, patrons can check out up to 50 books. There are no fines for returning them late, as long as they return them when they reopen.
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The Decatur Public Library's central air system was in put in place when the library opened in 1974.
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