Yesterday’s heat and humidity forced the Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library to shut its doors to patrons around lunchtime.
Susan McLean, deputy CEO and director of public services for Halifax Public Libraries, said an extreme temperature policy requires branches to close for the day if the temperature inside exceeds a humidex reading of 35 degrees Celsius.
“It’s really an occupational health and safety issue for staff,” she said.
This is the first time this summer that the downtown Halifax branch closed due to high temperatures, McLean said, but the policy has been in place since 2006.
Air conditioning was installed when an addition was constructed, but she said the electrical system would have to be overhauled in order to cool down the whole building. Halifax Regional Municipality has applied for federal infrastructure funding that would help build a new $55-million central library.
