Georgia College & State University received reports at noon Dec. 9 of a broken pipe in the Russell Library that eventually flooded three floors of the building.
“The water in the library was shut off immediately, then personnel and equipment from ServePro arrived at the library to begin mitigating the damage,” Director of News and Media Relations Amanda Respess wrote in an email to The Baldwin Bulletin. “There was some initial concern about servers and IT equipment located in the library. At approximately 4:15 p.m. we experienced a temporary campus-wide outage of internet and landline phones caused by the incursion of water.
“Internet and phone service was restored to campus by 10 p.m.,” Respess reported. “Our Georgia College Public Safety Department remained online without any interruption to their services using analog dispatch equipment during the outage.”
As of Dec. 10, all GCSU technology services were fully restored. The university is now assessing damage to the library, which remains closed. All GCSU facilities, offices of Academic Affairs, and student study spaces at the library have temporarily been moved to various locations around campus.
Study locations were moved to the Willow Room and Dogwood Conference Room in the Magnolia Center, Donahoo Lounge, University Banquet Room at The Max, the Depot, and to the West Campus classroom and den. These locations will remain open and unlocked until 11 p.m. nightly during the library closure.
Student Disability Resources was temporarily relocated to the 206 Parks Hall conference room, with the Learning Center temporarily moved to the Magnolia Ballroom with services available during regular hours. The Testing Center will be available in the Arts & Sciences auditorium for scheduled testing accommodations.
Library services are available only through the library’s Ask-A-Librarian service at libanswers.gcsu.edu. The website offers assistance via email, text, and chat. Printing services are available through the Student Engagement office, located just outside the Donahoo Lounge, as well as the Student Government Association Office on the third floor of the Magnolia Center. Both printing locations will remain open until 9 p.m. nightly.
“Computer servers located in the library were not affected by water damage; however, GCSU emergency management recommends that students, faculty, and staff back up their work and save often as a precaution,” an email sent to students yesterday stated. “If there is any interruption to any IT services, GCSU will communicate to the campus community as soon as possible via GC Alert.”
According to Respess, a full assessment remains underway, with a timeline of the library's restoration to be announced as soon as it becomes available.