Although university officials made the decision to cordon off the books before the beginning of the fall semester August 25, Provost Lucy Reuben, who recently toured the blocked-off areas, said the mold didn’t look that bad. “It looks like any library where most of us have done graduate study,” she said in the September 17 Raleigh News and Observer. “I have done research in areas that looked exactly like that.”
Staffers have often complained of burning eyes, coughing, and other problems that improved once they were away from work. One librarian who suffers from asthma was transferred to another location.
Charles O’Duor, vice chancellor for financial affairs, said a decision is expected soon on when the books will be accessible again. The mold problem has affected 14 buildings on the NCCU campus since March 2002 and recently forced the closure of two four-year-old dorms.
Posted September 22, 2003.