Sacramento State Library Closes For Asbestos Fixes

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Sac State's main library will be closed for moths to fix a potentially dangerous situation.

The building will be closed starting on Friday to remove asbestos.

Library dean Amy Kautz says the asbestos abatement is critical right now mainly because it was getting in the way of much-needed improvements. It was also necessary in order to maintain a safe environment.

The campus has contracted with a licensed abatement specialist and a third-party expert to oversee the project and see that it's done in a way that will prevent any exposure to students and staff.

"We can't add any electricity," said Kautz. "We can't work on the ceiling; we can't do plumbing electrical or add additional requirements to improve the student experience as long as it's asbestos there."

An asbestos consultant familiar with the project said off-camera that since the asbestos is contained above the panels of the ceiling with no direct exposure, the health risk is minimal.

But is still raises concern with students like Malik Alhaidari.

"It makes me wonder about other buildings. I've been here for four years, god knows what I could have been exposed to," he said.

The estimated cost of the project is $1.2 million.