The library in downtown Salt Lake City was closed after a “critical” sewer line failure

It is not yet known when the library will reopen.

Salt Lake City’s Main Library was forced to close until further notice this week due to a “critical failure” of the building’s main sewer line downtown.

There is no word on when the library at 210 E. 400 South will reopen. But the sewer line requires “major” repairs, officials said.

“Our facility team is working hard with plumbing companies to reopen the library as soon as possible,” the library said on social media.

The problem was first spotted on Wednesday in the form of a small leak. When plumbers were called in to conduct further inspections, the building’s water was shut off and the apparent fault discovered.

“Fortunately, this was discovered before it could become a major problem,” said Quinn McQueen, a spokesman for the city’s public library system, noting that the building was not damaged and the “books and other materials are safe and sound.” ”

In the meantime, the water remains shut off, which is why the building is not open to the public.

While the downtown library is closed, due dates and retention periods for all items there will be extended, officials said. All other Salt Lake City branches of the library remain open: Anderson-Foothill, Chapman, Corinne and Jack Sweet, Day-Riverside, Glendale, Marmalade and Sprague.

If you have any media stocked in the main library, you can also call your nearest branch to have all stocks transferred there instead, McQueen said. And any borrowed materials that are due for return to the main library in the meantime may be returned to any Salt Lake City branch of the library.

The main library opened in February 2003. The $84 million building is known for its striking architecture — a five-story, triangular building that houses the magazine and reading facilities; a rectangular administration wing; and a glazed ‘urban space’, all behind a crescent-shaped wall.

The library was featured prominently on “The Amazing Race” when the rooftop garden was the “pit stop” on an episode of the CBS series.

The main library is also home to several shops, including Art at the Main Studio, The English Garden Florist, a Salt Lake Community College Writing Center, the Salon at Library Square, and the Library Store.

The KCPW radio, stationed at the library, remains on the air despite the closure.