Smoke -- but no fire -- closes Park Grove library

• Library closed Friday

An electrical problem forced the Park Grove Branch Library's closure Friday in Cottage Grove.

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An electrical problem that caused a smokey smell forced the unexpected closure of the Park Grove Branch Library in Cottage Grove on Friday.

Librarians reported smelling smoke at the library at 7900 Hemingway Ave. as they opened the building Friday morning -- but they, nor fire crews called to the scene, could find any flames.

By 1 p.m. Washington County facilities management officials had determined the source of the smokey smell, said Pat Conley, the county library director: a light in the library's children's area had blown out overnight, allowing the resulting smoke to permeate the building before it was opened at 9:30 a.m. Friday morning.

Conley apologized for the closure Friday afternoon but said it was important to "err on the side of caution."

"We hated to do it," Conley said. "We very rarely do this but we just wanted to be sure."

Conley said the library would resume normal hours on Saturday, when the branch is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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