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Winter Warmup: Mark Twain Library Reopening Monday After Cold Closure

REDDING, Conn. — The Mark Twain Libary in Redding will reopen Monday after it has been closed with no heat since the start of the New Year. 

The Mark Twain Library in Redding will reopen on Monday.

The Mark Twain Library in Redding will reopen on Monday.

Photo Credit: File

And the staff is inviting patrons to celebrate with hot beverages and goodies as the library opens its doors again Monday. 

The library will remain open until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday this week for students who want to study there. 

Library director Beth Dominianni and Jen Wastrom, president of the Board of Trustees made the announcement.

"On Jan. 2, the year 2018 started with a bang that was our boiler exploding," the statement said. "In the past 10 days, a lot has happened. But the best news is that our new furnace is now up and running, and heat is returning to the building." 

Dominianni and Wastrom said the library escaped any further damage from frozen pipes and leaks. 

"As you might imagine, the library plunged into a deep freeze during the coldest weather on record. Amidst frigid conditions, we all engaged in protecting the building and collections," the statement said. 

Precautionary measures included renting large propane heat blowers, covering the collections and electronic equipment with 600 feet of plastic sheeting, and adding hundreds of gallons of glycol to the plumbing and HVAC pipes to keep them from freezing.

"While we knew the need to replace the furnace was on the horizon, fate intervened a little bit sooner than planned," the statement said. 

All overdue fines will be forgiven. But donations are sought for the library's Furnace Fund. 

"We now face the burden of a larger than anticipated expense," the statement said. "Thank you for your patience and understanding as we get back to normal."

The library will reopen Monday, Jan. 15. Special hours for this week are: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday & Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. 

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