News Release

2002-05

Once Again a Major Flood Damages Canada’s Published Heritage at the National Library of Canada

Ottawa, March 6, 2002  -  Today at approximately 2:00 a.m., the National Library of Canada was once again the victim of a major flood causing thousands of dollars worth of damage. Hundreds of irreplaceable documents, stored in two basement levels in the Library’s Wellington Street location were affected.

"It is tragic that, again, our published heritage was harmed. I am grateful for the efficiency and experience of the National Library staff, who are now experts at flood damage control," said Mr. Roch Carrier, National Librarian. "This is the 72nd incident to occur in the last 10 years. When will the next one be?"

Today’s flood started when then increased temperatures caused by the welding of expansion joints in sub-basement 2 of the National Library activated the sprinkler system on that level. Water then leaked down into sub-basement 3.

Even though plastic was covering the documents at the welding site, water managed to damage government documents from the 1920s and ’30s, children’s books, videocassettes, maps and, worst of all, valuable 19th-century reissues of 17th-century prints.

The Response Action Team, made up of National Library of Canada staff and workers from a building property management company, was called to the scene and immediately used the appropriate means to prevent further damage to the collections.

Further details on the extent of the damage will be available once the incident and evaluation reports are compiled.

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For more information:

Pauline M. Portelance
Media Relations Officer
National Library of Canada
613-996-6128 or 613-293-4298