April 17, 2006
Construction incident closes Morris Library
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A construction incident at about 10:30 a.m. today (April 17) led to the closure of Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Morris Library.
There were no injuries when the façade on the sixth and seventh floors on the building's west side fell onto the roof of the third floor, part of which also serves as a patio for the fourth floor. There was no construction activity in that area at the time of the incident.
Officials closed the library until 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, so engineers can evaluate the building's structural integrity.
The library is in the midst of a $48 million expansion and renovation. McLafferty Annex, home to the bulk of the library's collection during the project, is open to patrons 9 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.