For Immediate Release: August 29, 2008

HOT TEMPERATURES MAY RESULT IN TEMPORARY LIBRARY CLOSURES IN OAKLAND

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( Oakland, CA)— With temperatures rising, the Oakland Public Library has announced that excessive heat in some of its branches may result in temporary emergency closures on an as needed basis. To abide by OSHA guidelines for heat exposure risks to employees and the public, Library Administration – in consultation with the City of Oakland’s Risk Management Division – has determined that closures may result when the temperature inside a library reaches or exceeds 87 degrees Fahrenheit. The decision to approve such temporary closures must be approved by a Library Administrator, who will evaluate other factors too, such as the number of users in the library, their comfort level, and the health of staff.

According to Gerry Garzon, Associate Director for Public Services, “The majority of Oakland’s libraries do not have air conditioning. Although we do not want to inconvenience library users, we also need to protect the health and safety of our workers and the public.”

For more information, please contact the Public Services Office at (510) 238-3511. The Oakland Public library is a department of the City of Oakland.

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