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Minnesota News
Andrew Krueger

Water leak causes damage, forces closure at Rochester library

People salvage books and materials after a water leak.
Rochester Public Library staff and city teammates salvage books and materials after a water leak at the library on Sunday.
Courtesy of Rochester Public Library

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Updated: 4:54 p.m. Wednesday | Posted: 4:36 p.m. Sunday

The Rochester Public Library was forced to close Sunday through Tuesday after a water leak affected all three floors of the building. The library reopened Wednesday morning, but cleanup on the second floor continues.

Library officials said a water softener failed sometime late Saturday or early Sunday. The library's alarm system alerted staff to the problem early Sunday.

Library director Audrey Betcher said only about three carts of books from the library collection were damaged by the leak. But she said there was damage to staff areas and meeting spaces.

Water leak at the Rochester Public Library
The Rochester Public Library's auditorium and several staff spaces were most affected by a water leak in the building on Sunday.
Courtesy Rochester Public Library

"There were several inches of standing water in the central portion of all three library floors," Betcher said in a news release.

The library has more than 440,000 books and other physical items in its collections. Betcher said they were "not greatly impacted."

"The fear with any water event is damage to the books and materials," Betcher said. "It will take some time to assess the extent of the damage to the building."

Water leak at the Rochester Public Library
Most of the Rochester Public Library's more than 440,000 books and other physical items were not affected by the water leak, officials said.
Courtesy Rochester Public Library

Library staff will continue assessing the damage on Monday, with tentative plans to reopen the building on Tuesday.

The library's Bookmobile will be open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday along First Street Southeast; patrons can use the Bookmobile to borrow items and pick up holds. The library’s book drop will be open Monday, but no materials will be due.

The Rochester police and fire departments, city Parks and Recreation and a local restoration company assisted in the response on Sunday.

"We are so grateful for our city teammates who pitched in to help us," Betcher said. "Their quick response limited the damage to the library."

The library will post updates on its website.

MPR News reporter Catharine Richert contributed to this story.