Howard County's Savage Branch Library stayed dark on Tuesday while crews swapped in new HVAC components and ran air-quality tests, after several staffers reported feeling sick and at least two ended up in the emergency room for suspected carbon monoxide exposure. County and library officials say the closure is a precaution while they double-check that the building is truly safe for both workers and patrons.
Repairs and testing underway
According to The Baltimore Banner, contractors are installing new parts on the branch's HVAC system this week, then running the system through tests throughout Tuesday and Wednesday. An independent certified industrial hygienist is scheduled to conduct eight hours of standard air-quality testing on Wednesday, the Banner reports, and library officials told the paper they expect the Savage Branch to reopen on Thursday. Library spokespeople stressed that crews are finishing corrective work before anyone is allowed back inside.
What happened last winter
The Savage Branch first shut down on Nov. 20 after employees reported feeling ill, and Howard County worked with Howard County Fire and Rescue, BGE, and third-party HVAC specialists to investigate the building, according to the Howard County Library System. In a Dec. 10 update, the system said it had installed 21 carbon monoxide detectors and hired an independent industrial hygienist to test the building in early December, adding that the Savage Branch was safe, clear of hazards, and ready to reopen before the library welcomed patrons back on Dec. 11.
Staff worries and local coverage
Some workers who experienced symptoms in November were reportedly wary about returning even after those tests, and staff from other branches were brought in to help process thousands of items ahead of the December reopening, The Business Monthly reported. The original shutdown and the community concern around it also drew earlier local coverage in November.
Why this matters
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can trigger headaches, dizziness, and nausea and can be fatal at high levels, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns. That risk is behind both the extra air-quality testing and the 21 new detectors at the Savage Branch, officials say, as well as the additional HVAC work and independent testing meant to rule out any lingering danger before the public is let back in.
Where to get updates
The Howard County Library System posts branch updates and closures on its website, and patrons are urged to check the Savage Branch page or the system-wide closings list for reopening details and alternative services. If the tests clear the building, officials told The Baltimore Banner they expect normal operations at the branch to resume on Thursday.
