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10 June, 1998 |
Central Library Flood
Canterbury Public Library staff are wondering today what they have done to be so lucky.
A sprinkler went off on the second floor of the Central Library at 1.30 am this morning. The sprinkler probably activated due to a burst sprinkler bulb. However only one sprinkler went off, and although it went off in the New Zealand collection, it sprayed water over microfiche, and not over any books.
Most of the microfiche can be replaced, and that which is irreplaceable has been copied by library staff over the last few year, to ensure the collection is protected. (Copied as half negatives between the positive and negative stage).
The water from the sprinkler flooded the carpets and dripped through to the first floor. However luckily the fire brigade were able to get to the scene in time to shut the water off and save the books below from getting wet.
So overall no books were damaged, and it appears that any damaged microfiche is replaceable.
The New Zealand room will remain closed for the next 3 days, the microfiche area will stay closed until further notice, and the closed parts of the first floor are likely to be open later today.
For further information contact:
Glenda Fulton 03 372-7840
Customer Services manager