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Fitchburg library director seeks roof funds, says collection at risk

By Alana Melanson, amelanson@sentinelandenterprise.com

FITCHBURG -- Fitchburg Public Library Director Sharon Bernard is wary of water -- from above, below, even in-between -- that threatens the institution's collection.

Although the adult-library roof doesn't appear to be in any imminent danger of leaks, it is long overdue to be replaced, she said.

When the youth library's roof was replaced in 2006, the roof of the adult portion was examined and its membrane was found to be in need of replacement then, said Bernard, who has served in the position since 2009.

She is asking the City Council to approve a $325,000 loan request that would cover the replacement of the roof, which is estimated to cost between $275,000 and $300,000.

Any remaining money would be used to replace the building's sump pump, which runs almost continuously to remove water from the basement, and several HVAC units, she said. Only about 35 of the building's approximately 110 HVAC units are in operation because many leak too much to be used, Bernard said.

These repairs are critical to maintaining the integrity of the library building, she said.

"We are in danger of major water problems from above, with the roof, below, with the sump pumps, and in between, with the HVAC units," Bernard said.

A roofing company that repaired a leak caused by a small snowstorm in January 2011 equated the condition of the roof membrane to cheesecloth, Bernard said. What has allowed the adult library roof to stay leak-free for now is the fact


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that the material underneath the membrane is concrete, she said, unlike the youth library, which had leaked a great deal with its wooden roof.

Department of Public Works Business Manager Larry Casassa said the roof membrane over the adult library was last replaced in 1991, and the material that was used was new at the time and began to deteriorate well before its 15-year life expectancy. He said the material was later found to easily develop pinhole-sized leaks, and that a different, more durable option was chosen for the youth library.

Casassa said the funds Bernard is requesting would also cover increasing the amount of insulation in the roof from 2 inches to 4 inches. The membrane replacement will also allow the concrete underneath to be inspected to determine whether its integrity is being maintained or if it is in need of further repairs, he said.

Bernard said she does not expect the roof work, which would likely begin this summer at the earliest, to close any portions of the library. If that does become necessary, any time the library would have to be closed during the repairs would not count against the hours the facility must be open to keep its certification, she said.

Follow Alana Melanson at facebook.com/alanasentinel or on Twitter @alanamelanson.


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