The University Library closed unexpectedly Sunday at about 7 p.m.
Paul Johnson, superintendent of building trades, said the evacuation was due to a backed-up sewage line and the shut-off of water to the building.
“[The flooding] was contained in the mechanical rooms,” Johnson said. “Nothing came into the occupied spaces.”
The reason for the blockage is still unknown. According to Johnson, the pipeline was cleared about an hour after the library closed.
Gary Pons, director of environmental health and safety, said the building had to be evacuated to comply with safety and risk management rules.
“We couldn’t provide basic services like restrooms or water,” Pons said.
The building is not fit to be occupied if basic functions like water or electricity cannot be provided.
A recording over the public-address system announced that the library was closing immediately Sunday night. It then instructed everyone to gather their belongings and exit the library.
A police officer in the Spidell Technology Center ushered people out. As people began to exit, he said everyone needed to evacuate immediately for health reasons and there was no definite time when the library would reopen.
The library was cleared for occupancy by 9:30 p.m. Sunday and opened for regular operation Monday morning.