For Immediate Release: September 3, 2009

HOT TEMPERATURES MAY RESULT IN
TEMPORARY LIBRARY CLOSURES IN OAKLAND

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( Oakland, CA)—It has been hot over the past two weeks, so hot that in some cases the Oakland Public Library has had to close some of its branches in order to abide by OSHA guidelines for heat exposure risks to employees and the public. And, if the heat doesn’t abate, the public can count on more emergency closures during the warm September-October months.

Library Administration observes established guidelines before making the decision to close a branch. In consultation with the City of Oakland’s Risk Management Division, Library Administration 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.

Heat-related closures are avoidable in locations that have air conditioning, but while some branches of the Oakland Public Library do have modern climate control systems, most do not. 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.”

On days when the heat forces the closure of some branches, patrons can find cool alternatives at the following locations, all of which have air conditioning:

• Asian Branch, 388 9 th St., Suite 190, 238-3400
• Brookfield Branch, 9255 Edes Ave., 615-5725
• César Chávez Branch, 3301 East 12 th St., Suite 271, 535-5620
• Dimond Branch, 3565 Fruitvale Ave., 482-7844
• Eastmont Branch, Eastmont Town Center, 7200 Bancroft Ave., Suite 211, 615-5726

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.