Mold threatening library’s collection

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Mold threatening library's collection

Mold problem one of several issues facing Laurel council

Laurel Leader Call - Laurel,MS

By Niblett, Laurel Leader-Call Correspondent

http://www.leadercall.com/local/local_story_165091015.html

The Laurel- County Library is facing a mold infestation, and

the problem is getting bad enough to threaten the library's books

and collections, Louise Breland, director of the library, told

the Laurel City Council Wednesday.

Breland, speaking at the agenda setting meeting, told council

members the facility needs a new air conditioning and heating unit

and better humidity control. The facility is owned jointly by the

city of Laurel and County.

" We have a pressing need, " Breland said. " We have had this problem

for some time. The mold is so bad, we are growing mold on walls,

mold on books, mold everywhere. "

The downtown Laurel building was converted from a car dealership to

a library in 1979, council members said. The roof was repaired two

years ago, and Breland said the library was taking steps to fight

the mold in 2005. Library officials got one of their final reports

just days before Hurricane Katrina. Breland said the mold issue has

been pressing for years, but library officials chose to hold repairs

until the area better recovered from Katrina.

Breland told council members bids show a new air conditioning unit

purchased in 2005 was about $135,000. But contractors warned the

price could be 35 percent higher now. Plus, once new climate control

measures are in place, Breland said, there will be a need for mold

abatement.

Breland will meet with the County Board of Supervisors Monday,

she said, and the Laurel City Council will discuss the issue at its

next meeting.

A discussion about the possibility of a downtown welcome center may

or may not be on Tuesday's agenda. City administrative officials

said the city has the option to buy the old downtown bus station for

about $100,000. The vacant building can be transformed into a

welcome center and chamber of commerce office for another $50,000 or

so, city leaders said. An appraisal for the city valued the 2,800

square feet structure at $101,000.

Mayor Melvin Mack had originally asked the council to place the

welcome center on Tuesday's agenda, but Council President ny

Magee asked City Attorney Ratcliff to clarify an issue.

Ratcliff said a limited liability investment company owns the

building. One of the owners currently works for the city of Laurel.

Ratcliff said an attorney general's opinion said there are no

conflicts, but city officials are waiting on an opinion from the

state's ethics commission.

" We'll just place it on the next agenda to be on the safe side, "

Mack said. But he later asked that the item be placed on Tuesday's

agenda in case the opinion comes in before then.

The Laurel City Council will discuss these issues, and several

others, Tuesday at 8 a.m.