Can’t stand the heat, get out of the library

PIERRE — Rawlins library wants people of all ages to come escape into a world of books. But this summer the library won’t help people seeking escape from another summer bummer: the heat.

Four weeks ago, librarians discovered that the library’s air conditioning unit was broken, according to Pierre City Administrator Leon Schochenmaier. A replacement part has been ordered but won’t arrive until August, leaving the library at the mercy of the hot weather.

Fans run constantly inside the library but only partially alleviate the temperature. Because of the lack of air conditioning, some of the library’s indoor programs have been moved outside on hot days. Public computer stations close down at 1 p.m. to prevent the machines from overheating.

Because of the heat, “the adults have literally disappeared from the library,” said Pierre resident Judy Atkinson, who has criticized how the city has handled the situation. “I was in there for 45 minutes, you’re just soaked in sweat,” she said.

Schochenmaier said that the city is looking at options to keep the library somewhat cool until August. Temporary air conditioning does not appear to be a viable solution, he said.

A more likely stopgap solution is window shading, with a dark film applied to the inside of the building’s windows to block heat from the sun. The city received a price quote on window shading Tuesday, but Schochenmaier said he does not know how long it would take to install window shading if the city decides to do so.

Atkinson said the air conditioning unit had problems all last year and broke in November, but nothing was done about it until May. Schochenmaier said that is not the case.

“There was no problem identified in the air conditioning system until approximately four weeks ago,” Schochenmaier said.