The J. Willard Marriott Library’s third floor has had a portion of its space closed since Thanksgiving Day, 2024, due to a significant leak in the HVAC system.
The leak, which occurred while the library was closed for the holiday, discharged a substantial amount of water onto the third floor. The flooding damaged the carpeting and forced the closure of several areas within the library, including parts of the second and first floors.
Ian Godfrey, assistant dean and operations and logistics director, explained that the university quickly addressed the issue, using attic stock carpet to restore first-floor classrooms in time for finals.
“We wanted to make sure students weren’t impacted, so the desks and other services were accessible,” Godfrey said.
However, part of third floor is still waiting for repairs.
“We didn’t have enough carpet to cover the entire area,” Godfrey said. “The adhesive residue left on the floor made it unsafe for students.”
The university is awaiting a shipment expected later this month to provide the 18,000 square feet of carpet needed. The process of replacing the carpet is expected to take several weeks, with the work phased in stages.
While restoration has delayed access to parts of the third floor, the university has tried to minimize the impact on students.
“We moved tables from the affected area to other parts of the library to maintain seating capacity,” Godfrey said. “We didn’t reduce our seat count at all.”
The restoration work, including the new carpet installation, will also give the university the opportunity to make changes to the library’s layout. For example, Godfrey said the juvenile collection, currently on the second floor, will be moved to the third floor to free up more seating space for students.
“This is a chance to rethink the third floor and provide even more space for students to study and meet,” he said.
Impact on Students
Despite this reassurance, some students, like Alex Radin, are disgruntled by the temporary closure.
“It would be really helpful if that space could be opened soon,” Radin said. “We’re paying for it, and it seems unfair that it’s being kept closed for so long.”
Other students, like Grant Gatch, have a less polarizing opinion. Gatch said that he does not go to that part of the library when he needs to study and that there are plenty of other seating options.
“I never really go to that side of the library, I think that it is fine that they have to do what they need to do,” Gatch said. “Sure it has been closed for a while, but it is not like I have to go sit there.”
While the final cost of the restoration is still being calculated, the university is working with its insurance provider to cover the expenses.
The library remains open for student use and Godfrey reassured that the restoration process is progressing smoothly. The phased carpet replacement is expected to take place in the coming weeks.
