Flood Damages Puerto de la Cruz Library, Destroying 300 Books
A burst plumbing valve caused a flood at the Tomás de Iriarte municipal library in Puerto de la Cruz, destroying 300 books and damaging essential infrastructure, leading to its extended closure and a search for replacement materials.
A flood at the Tomás de Iriarte municipal library in Puerto de la Cruz on August 25th has destroyed 300 books beyond repair and damaged the library's computers, rendering them unusable.
Desiré Díaz, the Councilor for Culture, confirmed this to the newspaper, explaining that a major plumbing issue, specifically a burst valve on an expansion tank, caused a surge of water from the fourth floor down to the first. She blamed the incident on "a lack of maintenance of municipal facilities by the previous government," adding that other buildings, including the Music School, Popular University, and Town Hall, suffer from similar neglect.
The water also damaged the false ceiling, the entire electrical system, lighting, and the elevator. An immediate response protocol was put in place, and the insurance company was contacted. An insurance adjuster, along with municipal surveyors and architects, assessed the damage and prepared a report, according to the councilor.
The library has been closed for three months due to several factors. Firstly, there have been delays in securing funding, as most financial allocations are committed by the end of the year, and the administrative process for a specific fund is taking time. Additionally, essential replacement parts for the elevator, which must be of the same brand and have the same gearing, have not yet arrived.
The contract for repairing the false ceiling has been awarded, and work is expected to begin within two weeks. The damage to the ceiling is currently preventing the library from reopening due to concerns about structural integrity.
For this reason, staff are continuing to work from the adjacent Youth House building, where they were temporarily moved. Library users can return books there on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM. Book renewals can be handled via email at bibliopuertodelacruz@gmail.com. Councilor Díaz mentioned that they have spoken with the insular Councilor for Culture, José Carlos Acha, who has offered support in replacing the 300 lost books.
The government has expressed regret on the library's and Town Hall's Instagram profiles for the disruption caused to residents, visitors, library patrons, and staff. A press release stated, "This crisis not only affects the service but also the cultural image and access to education in our community."
The library, established in 1969, was previously located at 11 Agustín de Bethencourt street until 2014. Due to space constraints, it relocated to the former courthouse building on Puerto Viejo street, at the corner of Pérez Zamora, in the town center.