The Burnt Hills Community Library is a modern brick and glass structure with pleasing geometry. But there is a rather unappealing visitor among the stacks inside that arrives with no library card.
Library employees and patrons have periodically put complaints to library Director Karen DeAngelo of an odor described as “musty” in a large open area on the first floor that’s designated as a reading room. Library Board of Trustees member Jean Botta reported it to the Ballston Town Board at a recent meeting.
Mustiness among books is no surprise, but some describe the odor as a “different” kind of musty.
“We’ve had days when we’ve noticed it in the morning and not in the afternoon, and days when we’ve noticed it in the afternoon and not in the morning. There’s no rhyme of reason to it. In 2009, it was a totally different time of year (August),” DeAngelo said.
The circular reading room has high ceilings and is outfitted with upholstered chairs. Officials say there appears to be no cause of the odor, despite air quality tests being conducted two years ago and again inr ecent weeks. All test results done to date have come back within normal range.
“He (the inspector) tests both indoors and outdoors. It looks like a plastic Tupperware container,” said DeAngelo of the device that was left for air tests in the reading room.
The inspector, who conducted the air tests in recent weeks when temperatures outside hovered in the high 40s, was Kevin Michaels of Hudson Valley Properties, which is headquartered in Saugerties.
“We tested the area using an air cartridge that sucks in 15 liters of air for five minutes. The air in the area must be moving at the timeof the test, and it was when we conducted them,” said Michaels.
Aside from mold, the test will detect a number of things including dander and pollen, whatever can attach itself to the cartridge. Results, according to Michaels, revealed that there is no threat of mold. He did say though that springtime is a good time to test, since at that time of year there is more likely to be moisture in the air.
Town of Ballston Supervisor Patti Southworth said she has received some comments from visitors to the library. She wanted to assure the public that efforts are being taken to investigate the cause of the musty odor.
“There appears to be no direct cause and results have shown nothing out of the ordinary. There is no health or safety concern,” she said.
Southworth also noted that the health inspector has visited the library in the past regarding the odor concerns, but has not been sent therer ecently. She did state, however, that if necessary the health inspector would be requested to make another visit to the library.
As the investigation continues, the library and town will work together in an effort to find the exact cause of the odor. “We have somebody coming in for a second opinion, because second opinions are good. We’ll have the walls, floors and air checked,” said DeAngelo.
The children’s library, which is housed on the second floor of the building, had a portion of its roof surface resurfaced last year due to leaks. That problem was remedied and is a separate issue than that of the odor detected downstairs.
On a lighter note, the library will be hosting a first annual minigolf fundraiser Friday, Feb. 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. and on Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to5 p.m.
For a full calendar of events, visit them on the web at toblibrary.sals.edu.
