On 16 November 2009, the iPrime website site was reporting the Civic Library has been closed for repairs after a skylight collapsed.
The Library was beset with problems when it first opened in 2007 when a freak storm tore through the City causing significant water damage from rain and hail. After that storm over 1000 litres of water was removed in the initial cleanup, water had broken through ceiling panels and flowed under doors, soaking carpets, books, equipment and electrical wiring in the library. Then the Library was shut on 27 February 2007 for what was meant to be a temporary closure, but not reopened until months later on 16 July 2007.
The iPrime article does not indicate what the problems with the skylight were attributed to.
The article has been reproduced below:
Civic Library shut for repairs after skylight collapse
The Civic Library will close for a week after a skylight collapsed on Saturday.
Noone was injured and ACT WorkCover will now assess the building to ensure it is safe.
A structural engineer will be brought in to outline any other repairs needed.
The mobile library will be available at Civic Square from 11:30 to 2:30pm Monday to Friday while the library is closed.
The mobile library has books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and internet access.
Note: copyright of the material in the clippings resides with the Prime Television. Usage permitted in accordance with the Australian Copyright Act 1968, Section 42: Fair dealing for purpose of reporting news. Source: iPrime Website, 16 November 2009.
ACT Public Library Blog
Temporary closure of Civic Library
The Department of Territory and Municipal Services wishes to advise that Civic Library is temporarily closed while a safety assessment is undertaken of its skylights.
This follows the collapse of part of a skylight on Saturday. Nobody was injured, but a structural engineer has been asked to undertake a detailed assessment of the failure of the skylight and carry out any necessary repairs to ensure the library is safe to re-open.
This process is expected to take at least a week to complete.
The Department has been seeking advice from ACT WorkCover in relation to the issue.
The mobile library service will be available in Civic Square from 11.30 am to 2.30 pm Monday to Friday while Civic Library is closed, beginning Tuesday 17 November. The mobile library has books, CDs, DVDs, magazines and access to the internet. Requests can be picked up from the mobile when it is in Civic Square.
The Canberra Connect Driver Licence Service located in the library will also be unavailable during this time. Alternative licence services are available at Dickson, Belconnen, and Woden Shopfronts.
The Department apologises for any inconvenience.