The Galion Public Library has partially reopened to the public following a sudden closure caused by a sewer issue that affected the lower level of the building.
Library officials announced that the upstairs Adult Services area is once again open, restoring in-person access to many regular services after a period of curbside-only operations.
“We are excited to announce that our upstairs Adult Services area is once again open to the public!” library staff shared.
Visitors can now enter through either of the library’s public entrances, including the side entrance near the parking lot and the front entrance along the street. Once inside, patrons can again check out and renew materials, make copies, send faxes, and use other available services in the upstairs portion of the building.
Lower Level Still Under Repair
The reopening is only partial, unfortunately. The lower level, which houses the library’s children’s department, remains under repair after being affected by a sewage leak. Library staff announced May 26 that the problem had “impacted the library’s children’s floor.”
The downstairs entrance is open to provide access to the stairs and elevator, but several lower-level spaces remain unavailable. Those include the children’s room, community room, and downstairs restrooms.
No timetable for the full reopening of the lower level was announced.
Closure Began In Early May
The library’s disruption began May 1, when staff announced that the building was closing “due to unforeseen circumstances.” The sewer issue was later identified as the reason for the shutdown.
With the building unavailable to the public, the library eventually shifted to a curbside service model beginning May 18, allowing patrons to continue obtaining materials while repair work and cleanup continued inside. Now, with the upstairs reopened, the library is thanking patrons for their patience through several weeks of unusual operations.
“Thank you for your patience and support while we operated with our curbside service model,” library staff said. “We truly appreciate your understanding and look forward to welcoming you back to the library!”
The reopening marks an important step toward restoring normal operations, even as repair work continues below.