Main Library in uptown Charlotte to reopen after broken pipe

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Main Library in uptown Charlotte has been closed because of a broken pipe.

On the library's website, it said the Main Library will reopen Saturday for regular operating hours at 9 a.m.

A water valve malfunctioned Monday and flooded the ground floor with three inches of water.

“It’s frustrating, but it’s one of those things you deal with when it comes along,” said Dana Eure, acting library director.

Library leaders made the decision to close as they worked through the remediation for the safety of their customers.

Five days later, the water is finally gone.

The work of repairing the damage has started as well as the work to figure out why the pipe failed in the first place.

“We’re still assessing it. We’re not exactly sure why it malfunctioned. But we have replaced it, so we know there’s a new one in there and it is working properly,” said Ann Stawski, a representative of the Charlotte Mecklenburg library.

Nick Esaskoi and a few friends arrived to study for a real estate exam next week. Instead, they were greeted with a closed sign.

“We pulled up and it was on the door. We got here, and the one day it’s closed is the day we tried to all meet up,” he said.

“We’re working very hard to get it cleaned up so that we can open up to our customers as soon as possible,” said Eure.

Eighteen other library branches are open while crews continue to repair the facility.

Cox Media Group