MRRL staff moving from annex because of mold

Diane Clingman tapes boxes closed as she prepares to relocate her office to the main location of the Missouri River Regional Library. Employees who currently work in the MRRL annex will have to move across the street while work is done to repair the roof and remove mold in the building.
Diane Clingman tapes boxes closed as she prepares to relocate her office to the main location of the Missouri River Regional Library. Employees who currently work in the MRRL annex will have to move across the street while work is done to repair the roof and remove mold in the building.

Because of mold, Missouri River Regional Library staff are moving offices out of the library annex, at 209 Adams St.

MRRL administration will move to 308 E. High St., Suite 208, while Technology Services, Information Technology, Adult Services and Teen Services will move into staff space and previously public spaces in the main library.

It will continue to operate as usual, according to a news release from Natalie Newville, marketing manager at MRRL.

All computer classes will now be held in the Public Computer Center (within the main library) or the Story Hour Room. During classes, the center will not be considered a "quiet space." Hours will be posted at www.mrrl.org and within the library. Other meetings previously held in the annex will be relocated when possible to the main branch.

Donations for the annual MRRL book sale can still be dropped off at the main library branch. People with large donations should notify library staff and make arrangements for the donations to be unloaded at the ramp in the back of the structure.

"Space will be tight in the library, both in staff spaces and public areas, but we hope that the community will help us by being understanding and flexible," Library Director Claudia Cook said. "Unfortunately, in order to provide the most resources to the community, we will have to make some sacrifices."

The magazine/quiet room will be divided in half to accommodate staff, she said.

"Space has been an ongoing issue at the library for many years, but the staff have done their best to be resourceful."

Staff have also had to deal with moisture issues within the annex for some time, according to Betty Hagenhoff, MRRL assistant director of finance and facilities.

"We had two rooms with persistent leaking," Hagenhoff said.

Even after the roof was replaced in 2017, the leaks persisted, Hagenhoff said.

Having some reactions, an employee asked that MRRL check for mold, she said.

Weldon Preservation, who owns the building, had checks done in limited areas, she said.

"We followed up with more extensive spaces through the building," she said. "Other offices tested positive for more toxic mold. (Some) offices didn't have toxic mold, but did have elevated mold issues."

The newspaper reached out to Weldon Preservation, but hadn't heard back at press time.

An environmental engineer, Cook said, advised the library the elevated mold levels were "not good for anybody."

With the main library branch already struggling with space issues, staff will be doubling up in some areas. Patrons will notice some of the public areas (such as the periodicals area) will be shrinking to make room. The Vietnam veterans book-signing (of "Strength and Honor: America's Best in Vietnam") has been moved to the main library branch.

The changes are forcing the library to make decisions about "stuff" they've kept around, thinking they'd be able to keep.

And with the pop-up book sale coming up during the final weekend of October, space is really going to become hard to find.

"We're looking for off-site storage for our books throughout the year," Hagenhoff said.

Staff will continue to sort books at the main branch.

The library is closed Monday for the Columbus Day Holiday. That day would normally be a development day - a chance for staff to listen to speakers, participate in team-building exercises and join in breakout sessions, Cook said.

This year, staff will be moving out of the annex, she said.

They hope to be out by Oct. 31.