Behind the Scenes @ the Wadleigh Memorial Library

BEHIND

THE

SCENES

@ THE WADLEIGH LIBRARY

MAIN LEVEL

All of the 1950 rock lathe/sheetrock ceiling

was secured by way of baling wire

wrapped around finished nails,

creating a suspended ceiling.

In several spots throughout the building,

the blown-in fiberglass insulation has

pushed through and is resting on wires,

pipes and the 1986 ceiling…

Above the circulation desk.

Above the circulation desk.

Area in front of public restrooms.

Area in front of public restrooms.

Area by Reference Desk.

Area by Reference Desk.

Looking down from the attic, directly above

the Circulation Desk/Staff areas.

Photos show lack of consistently installed

insulation as well as the many repairs over

the years (plumbing & wires were strung to

resolve problems in a piecemeal manner).

Looking down from the attic, directly above

the Circulation Desk/Staff areas.

Staff/ILL area. Condensation & leaks from

AC unit pipes.

In the 1950 portion of the building, original

cloth-covered wire is still being used along

with the white romex installed in 1986.

Both are now illegal and no longer used in

commercial buildings for fire safety

reasons…

Original cloth-covered wire & (white)

romex. Both highly flammable.

Sagging insulation over

Children’s Area

incorrectly installed

in 1986.

Heat escapes to flat roof

above it, creating

massive ice problems.

Office. Original 1950

asbestos tile.

Stairwell by parking lot entrance. Moisture infiltration coming through

1986 cinder block foundation.

BASEMENT LEVEL

During the 1986 addition, new plumbing

was connected to 1950 cast iron pipes.

Subsequent repairs over the decades with

varying plumbing materials have created a

failing patchwork of pipes...

Ceiling by vault, showing mold & leaks from

2nd floor public restrooms.

Pipes under 2nd floor restrooms.

1950 pipe cut & plugged with paper.

(White) romex incorrectly installed. Over time,

building vibrations from traffic will cause steel lathe

to wear romex insulation away, down to bare wire.

In the electrical room,

cable, phone and

internet lines come in

from the street

through conduit.

When it rains, water

comes into the

conduit, following the

wires, leaking 1-2

gallons of water per

storm, filling the

bucket below.

Electrical room.

A cracked, cast iron pipe,

entirely encased in

concrete, had a substantial

leak. Repair was not

possible. Over the years,

rust has temporarily closed

the crack. This pipe

connects to exterior

downspouts for the roof. If

it becomes clogged with

leaves or sediment and

needs to be snaked, the

interior rust temporarily

sealing the crack would be

scraped away, causing this

substantial leak to return.

Electrical room.

Shows 1950 galvanized

(black) pipe connecting

into 1950 cast iron

pipe, which is entirely

encased in concrete.

All of the silver rings

along the black pipe

represent multiple

repairs over the years.

Storage room. 1950 building foundation

shows deep cracks and delamination

(pulling away from itself).

Storage room. 1950 building foundation

shows deep cracks and delamination

(pulling away from itself).

Elevator machine room has been taking in water

and moisture since the 1986 addition.

Lower walls and floors have extensive water

damage &mold due to building drainage problems.

Storage room. 1950

radiator shows rust

coming through from

core of radiator,

allowing hot water to

leak onto the floor.

Office. Original 1950

asbestos tile.

Storage room. Deep

cracks in floor have

allowed moisture &

leaks to permeate up.

TOP LEVEL

Keyes Meeting Room.

Shows extensive water

damage to carpet.

Cause: massive leaks

from outdated

drainage piping for air

handler.