CSU/Hayward Library Regroups
After $5-Million Fire
State legislators are rallying around California State University/Hayward in the aftermath of an early-morning fire on May 3 that caused $5.16 million in damages to the library building. On May 22 the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Subcommittee approved an emergency appropriation of the entire sum needed to restore the facility; the Assembly Education Finance Subcommittee had done the same a week earlier.
The blaze destroyed the fire alarm system and devastated portions of the building’s east wing basement that lie under a 30,000-square-foot area housing some 800,000 volumes. Director of Public Affairs Kim Huggett told American Libraries that although the fire “did not consume any library facilities,” officials suspended services for nine days while the collection was treated for smoke and water damage. The circulation desk and reference and computer areas are open to the public, and a paging system for book retrieval was implemented on May 22, pending the area’s anticipated mid-June reopening.
Investigators have determined that the fire was arson. No arrests have been made to date.
Posted May 29, 2000.
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