A very frustrating day for all of us at the Library, after water started streaming into the office from the floors above.
Although the library’s main collection was not affected, we had to work quickly to move GWL’s own archive materials, as well as work files and all our computer equipment, out of the office. Thanks to Hannah’s emergency planning, we were all ready to work together and quickly clear the affected areas.
After having to close the Library last Friday due to the cold, the thaw has proved to be equally ‘adverse’. Pipes on the floors above, and across the entire block, froze during the cold snap, and caused flooding after this morning’s thaw. It’s not clear when the flooding at 81 Parnie Street started – unfortunately, it wasn’t until water was already pouring into our office that the pipes were disconnected from the mains. Ironically, Library staff had been in the Library over the holiday period in order to check that our own pipes had not frozen.
Those of you who are long time supporters of the Library may feel a sense of deja vu about all this: towards the end of our time at 109 Trongate, the rickety old building was constantly letting in water, and buckets and umbrellas were a common sight. The cause of today’s flooding should be a one off, but it highlights just how urgently our planned relocation to new premises in the Mitchell Library is needed.
Our old building at 109 Trongate is now part of the recently opened, fully renovated 103 Trongate: Today’s flood has made us all determined to raise the funds to ensure that we can move into a fully fit-for-purpose (climate controlled, waterproof…) space.
It’s not clear how long it will take us to clear up the office and get up and running again – our priority at the moment is to ensure that both the affected materials and the office itself are properly dried out. Please check the website & blog for updates: We may have limited access to our phone and individual staff emails, so the first point of contact will be this website and our main email address: info@womenslibrary.org.uk.
Update: Progress in the Library – Re-wired and de-humidified.
