Campus officials determined Sunday that McHenry Library will remain closed for at least several more days while cleanup and restoration
efforts continue.
Crews have been working around the clock since Friday, after a fire late Thursday night in an area now under renovation sent smoke and soot into the upper three floors of McHenry's new addition.
Fire officials believe the fire was caused by an overheated electrical cord used to recharge batteries for power tools. The cord ignited nearby plastic materials.
Nearly half of McHenry's 1.4 million volumes are being cleaned and re-shelved. Many furnishings and other equipment, including some desktop computers, also require cleaning and inspection.
The Science & Engineering Library remains open. Library staff are evaluating options for providing students and others access to selected
content, including reserve reading lists and multi-media materials.
Updates on McHenry's status will continue to be posted regularly at:
