HAMPTON, Va. — Signs were posted on the doors of the main library branch in Hampton on Tuesday, letting people know the library was temporarily closed.
“I was quite surprised," said Hampton resident Suzanne Von Dwingelo.
Von Dwingelo didn’t know the library was closed when she walked up on Tuesday morning.
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“I just came to do a little bit of laptop work and check out one book and return one book," Von Dwingelo said.
The city announced the closure in a Facebook post on August 29, following what Hampton Public Information Officer Mike Holtzclaw said was an air test at the library three days earlier.
“The results came back on Friday showing a higher level of mold than was acceptable," Holtzclaw explained.
News 3 tried to clarify if the results mean there is mold or if the results are just an indication there could be mold.
He didn’t know. He was also unsure how the air test works, how often they’re done, what prompted this air test, and what, specifically, will be done to make the library usable again.
“The phrase that I am hearing is remediation and repair," Holtzclaw said about the work that will be done in the library. "The health and safety of our citizens and our staff is a top priority. So we’re just working with an abundance of caution."
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According to the CDC, mold can cause a variety of health problems, including a stuffy nose, burning eyes and skin rash. For people who are immunocompromised or have chronic lung issues, mold can also cause lung infections.
News 3 asked Von Dwingelo if knowing there could be mold in the library would make her think twice about going in when the library reopens.
“Oh, yes. Absolutely," Von Dwingelo said.
How long the library will be closed was unclear Tuesday. In the meantime, all of the main library’s virtual services were still available.
Other library branches were being evaluated, and air tests will be done if there is a reason for concern, according to Holtzclaw.
