UNION — Boone County Library officials hope to reopen the Union branch by Tuesday, after closing it earlier this week when a frozen pipe burst.

        A sprinkler system pipe broke Monday, soaking ceiling tiles, walls and carpeting in the county's newest library, officials said.

Library workers survey damage in a second-floor conference room at the Scheben Branch library in Union. (Patrick Reddy photo) | ZOOM |

        The Scheben Branch, on U.S. 42, officially opened in March. The 35,000-square-foot building cost $4 million, contains more than 35,000 new materials and has Internet access.

        About 60 reference books got wet, said Martha Regenbogen, an administrative assistant at the branch. She said workers took the books outside so they could dry.

        Most of the damage was contained to a conference room and public areas. On Wednesday, ceiling tiles still needed to be replaced, the carpet was not dry and the phones were not working properly. Workers were also bringing the computer system back online.

        “Fortunately, when it happened, we were open and in the building,” Ms. Regenbogen said.

        The Union Fire Department was credited with minimizing the damage when they threw tarps onto books and furniture. Employees said they first knew something was wrong Monday when the fire alarm went off.

        The branch's staff have been temporarily assigned to the library's other branches.

        The Boone County Public Library District also includes the Lents Branch in Hebron, the Walton Branch on Main Street and the Florence Branch on U.S. 42. Library service in Boone County began 26 years ago with a small library on Girard Street in Florence.

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