No sweating allowed in Bogalusa library

For years, library patrons have understood the unspoken “Shhhhh” rule. You remain silent so as to not disturb others enjoying their visit.

Portable air conditioners, like these,
along with box and upright fans,
are the only cooling available in
the Bogalusa Branch Library. It's
common for temperatures inside
to be in the upper 80s.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

These days in Bogalusa — and going back to the middle of last summer — there’s a new admonition … don’t let your sweat drip on the reading material.

That’s right … sweat. As in perspiration.

While one wouldn’t think that would be a possibility, except for the fact that this is the second summer for the Bogalusa Branch Library of the Washington Parish Library to be without air conditioning.

“It’s horrible,” one employee told wpnewsblog. “Thank you so much for coming to tell our story.”

Branch manager Emmett Guy, Jr. said, “It gets bad. It doesn’t cool off much at night” despite leaving portable air conditioning units running around the clock. Those units, along with a variety of box and upright fans, are the only line of defense against the heat.

Guy said he thinks one problem with getting the system repaired in the absence of a system librarian, although that position was occupied when the AC went out a year ago.

“The library board met in May and decided to advertise for bids for a new system,” Guy said. “That takes 30 days …”

This sign greets patrons
at the Bogalusa library

The co-worker was less forgiving. “It’s like they’ve forgotten about us. That we don’t exist … or don’t count.”

Guy says he has no official way of knowing, but suspects that the high temperatures in the building are having a negative impact on the facility’s usage.

“I suspect so,” he said. “People get in and get out and don’t spend much time at all.”

In addition to wearing down staff and patrons, Guy said the constant heat is affecting the computers as well — slowing them as the heat climbs.

“And I don’t know, but I suspect there’s an impact on the books and audio materials, too.”

Most of the patrons on Tuesday were youngsters participating in the Summer Reading Program, although there were three adults reading in a lounge area.

A youngster is oblivious to the
heat inside the library Tuesday
morning, although adults were
complaining and leaving.
(Photo by John H. Walker)

Guy said the lack of AC has caused a shift in library hours since June 1. “Because of the heat, we’re only open from 8:30 until 2:30, because it just gets so hot.” Those hours will remain in effect until the system is repaird

Guy said he estimated the average temperature in the library is in the mid-to-upper 80s. “Eighty-six, 87, 88 degrees, I would guess.”

The Bogalusa branch is part of the parish system, which receives taxpayer funding for a portion of its operating expenses. The libraries are part of Washington Parish government and have a library board to oversee them. The board includes Katherine Jenkins, Louella Jackson, Sally Thomas, James “Jim” Adams, John Lewis, Emma Ross and Donald Westmoreland. Westmoreland is president.

((Published first at http://www.wpnewsblog.blogspot.com)

(This is a reader news tip story)