General

Okay, seriously, what’s up with our water system, Ottawa?

First, it was “maintenance work” on city pipes that brought Parliament to a squelching halt; then, a burst water main shut down the patio at Hy’s on the Friday before the Victoria Day long weekend — and now this:


Quick Response by Library and Archives Canada Staff Protects Collections From Water Damage

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – In the early hours of May 20, 2008, a burst pipe resulted in some water damage at Library and Archives Canada’s 395 Wellington Street facility in Ottawa. The Emergency Response Team, made up of management and preservation and collections staff, was called to the scene and immediately used the appropriate procedures to protect the collections.

A small number of books were affected, but LAC preservation experts have determined that nothing has been damaged beyond repair. Published material, stored in the sub-basements, was promptly removed from the shelves and transported to freezer units. None of the documents in any of the exhibition rooms have been affected.

The leak has been contained. Cleaning and collections management staff are still on site to assess the damage. Further details on the impact of the leak will be determined once the incident and evaluation reports are compiled.

The buildling at 395 Wellington Street will be closed for the day to the public. Clean-up has progressed to the point that we expect to be open for service to the public as of tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 21st.

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