Loose limestone panels repaired at Wells Library

Two loose limestone panels swaying from the Herman B Wells Library were repaired over winter break. IU officials said the problem appears to be isolated, as ongoing work has not uncovered further problems.\nOn Dec. 1, two members of the library's third-floor staff discovered that two 300-pound limestone panels on the east side of the building were swaying because of strong winds. IU employees took the panels down from the building's facade and an architecture firm was contracted to study its limestone exterior for further damages or areas of concern.\nThe University hired Arsee Engineers of Indianapolis to carry out the inspections, which began Dec. 21.\nEric Bartheld, the Wells Library director of communication, said the University's architectural department was quick to secure the area below to prevent pedestrian traffic after the problem was discovered. \nUniversity architect Robert Meadows said everything is being done to make sure the building is safe. The inspections should be finished in time for the start of classes, he said.\n"We are always checking the buildings to make sure they are safe; it is not unusual," Meadows said. "Our biggest concern is safety. Last year we removed and replaced a part of the Geology Building because we believed there to be a danger."\nMeadows said they have had workers on cranes inspecting the east side of the library's graduate tower and the scaffolding on the lower tower. \n"We took off two pieces of loose stone and did some probing from the inside to the back of the wall to determine how the pre-cast panels are hung," Meadows said. "The two loose panels we found appear to be an anomaly -- everything else looks good."\nBartheld said the library's hours of operation were not disrupted by the work being done.