Sewer issues confronted by library

After years of sewer problems, the Gibson Memorial Library may finally have found a solution.

Over the last few years, the library have had to close both the bathrooms and kids’ area numerous times due to sewer backups. It’s believed these issues stem from the original pipe design for the building, which is in the shape of a “T” rather than curves.

“It’s an old building with old pipes and a poorly designed exit from the building‚” Director Danielle Dickinson Thaden said at Monday’s board meeting. “That ‘T’ intersection, we’re pretty sure, is right under our entryway.”

Another issue involves spacing within the pipes themselves.

“Apparently it’s a five-inch pipe and only part of that is usable,” Dickinson Thaden said. “The part we’re working with is about an inch and a half of actually open pipe wherever it is under the library.”

While various contractors have come in for minor fixes in the past, nothing major has been done.

“It’s been talked about for a long time. I thought we were going to fix it a long time ago and we never actually did. Somebody’s going to have to dig under the building,” a board member said.

The Gibson Memorial Library has had to close various areas on the ground floor in the last month due to sewer issues.

Dickinson Thaden said that after all the recent issues, she’s spoken with Creston Street Superintendent TJ Parsons about possibly resolving the problem altogether.

“TJ Parsons has been incredible in saying that he would rather have the city crew try to fix it rather than try to hire it out, which would save us thousands and thousands of dollars, I’m sure,” Dickinson Thaden said. “They’re hopeful to work on it sometime in the next couple of weeks. I don’t know what it will cost, but again, much less than if we were to hire it out.”

While the city will try to get as much of the work done without closing library’s entrance, an eventual closure is likely. The board agreed that if the front entrance couldn’t be used, the door on Maple Street could be utilized, with library staff grabbing material for patrons unable to use the stairs.

“I think if there’s some way to stay open, that would be a good idea,” board member Connie Maxson said.

In other library news...

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library will be up and running in Union County by the end of the month. Dickinson Thaden said all that’s left to do is review and set up some financial items with the Friends of the Library.

“We’ll be able to set our branch as active before the end of the month, which is so exciting. Keep an eye out,” Dickinson Thaden said.

Erin Henze

Originally from Wisconsin, Erin is a recent graduate from UW-Stevens Point. Outside of writing, she loves to read and travel.