Oak Bay library to remain closed up to 12 more weeks for asbestos abatement
The Oak Bay Branch of the Greater Victoria Public Library will remain closed for significantly longer than initially planned.
A week after closing the library for asbestos testing, the District of Oak Bay announced Friday that it has decided to "proactively" continue the closure for "up to 12 weeks" while it works on "abatement of asbestos-containing materials" in the facility.
The district first announced the library closure on Jan. 27, after discovering "dust contaminated with asbestos" in an area of the facility.
The library was originally scheduled to reopen on Monday.
"The district’s top priority is ensuring the safety of staff and the community," reads a statement posted on the Oak Bay website Friday.
"The district is awaiting results from the additional testing undertaken this week and will provide an update when the test results are received."
Library materials on hold at the Oak Bay Branch will not expire on Feb. 6, and patrons will not incur late fees, the district said.
While the Vancouver Island Regional Library abolished late fees on Jan. 1 of this year, GVPL's website indicates that late returns to its system still incur fines.
"The district is working with GVPL to explore options to deliver library services at an alternative location in Oak Bay," the statement reads.
"Once an alternative location is confirmed, details will be announced. GVPL is committed to minimizing the disruption of this temporary closure for patrons."
Checked-out items can be returned to any other GVPL location, and the district says there are plans to install a temporary drop box for library returns at the Monterey Recreation Centre next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.