No A/C and shifting floors inside Niagara Falls Public Library

David Gregory, a patron of the Niagara Falls Public Library, fears falling inside the building. 

“I walk with a cane and when I’m walking through the library you don’t expect there to be floor risings,” Gregory said. 

Niagara Falls Public Library Executive Director, Sarah Potwin said a portion of the firs floor is shifting, causing tripping hazards. We’re told the library was built decades ago on top of foundations from previous buildings, which could be causing the shift. 

City crews even blocked off portion of the library with yellow caution tape and “watch your step” rugs, to prevent someone from falling. One person has already fallen and submitted a claim to the City of Niagara Falls. 

Shifting floors aren’t the only issue Niagara Falls Library is facing. Both the air conditioning unit and boiler are broken. Librarians are trying to keep the concrete building cool with large fans and ice water. The library closed early on Friday because temperatures inside reached 98 degrees. 

“I did have some stage who went home early Friday because of the heat(before the library closed),” Potwin said. 

Library staff even went the entire winter of 2017-2018 without heat. Right now the library keeps the outside doors open just to get fresh air blowing inside the building. 

“It’s terrible. It’s an abomination. Something needs to be done,” Chris Voccio, Niagara  Falls Councilman said. 

Due to the city’s on-going financial issues, Voccio is pushing for the city to create a library authority and let tax payers vote on the budget for the library. 

Niagara Falls City Council is expected to take up this matter during its regular council meeting, Wednesday at 6pm.