SU’s Cade Library going through nearly $2 million in repairs

Crews have begun work on $1.9 million in repairs and renovations at Southern University's John B. Cade Library. The library received considerable wind and water damage during Hurricane Gustav in 2008.

Gustav damaged all of the floors, except the first floor in the 154,000-square-foot library. Windows were blown out or dislodged, resulting in water soaked carpets and other water-related damage, said Emma Perry, SU's dean of libraries.

The library's roof was also damaged, resulting in considerable damage to ceiling tiles through the building. The roof was replaced last year.

Construction crews are replacing brick veneer and about 75 percent of the windows. The wind damaged the windows and some of the bricks around the windows were dislodged.

Visitors can expect an improved look in the 30-year-old library, Perry said. All of the carpet will be replaced on the west wing of the third floor, along with light fixtures, ceiling tiles, sheet rock, painting, baseboards, vents on the second, third and fourth floors.

"If all goes well and there are no major delays," Perry said, "the repairs should be completed by mid-spring."

Funding for the construction comes from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), Perry said.