Hampton’s main library on Victoria Boulevard is closed indefinitely after mold was found inside the library.
City staff tested the main branch of the library on Aug. 26 , and results came back Friday afternoon showing mold, according to city spokesperson Mike Holtzclaw. It’s unclear when the library could reopen, but he said the city is aiming for only a short-term interruption for library patrons and staff.
“We are doing remediation and repair at the library, and if the remediation and repair takes longer than anticipated, then we will start looking for alternative ways that we can set up to make sure that people can get all the services they need,” Holtzclaw said.
Related Articles
After years of speculation, Norfolk confirms Target coming to Wards Corner
Virginia Beach looks to reel in electric bikes
Chesapeake mayor outlines process to fill seat after vice mayor’s death
Virginia Beach to explore developing below ‘Green Line’
Portsmouth adopts new rules for clubs to limit late-night hours
In the meantime, all in-person programming has been cancelled, including the city’s Diversity College, an adult learning course which was scheduled to begin this week, Holtzclaw said. Online services are still available.
Hampton’s main branch building, where the mold was found, opened in 1987. According to Holtzclaw, this is the first time mold has been an issue at the building. However, he was unable to provide details on how much mold was detected or where specifically it was found.
Holtzclaw was unable to answer questions Tuesday about what prompted the mold test last week or how often the city conducts tests there.
However, Holtzclaw said the city has contracted a professional remediation crew to conduct “basic assessments” including air tests on its other three library branches in Phoebus, Northampton and Willow Oaks to determine if mold has grown in any of its other locations, and what additional steps the city may need to take to address the issue.
“The health and safety of our residents and our staff is always going to be paramount,” Holtzclaw said. “We’re working with an abundance of caution here to make sure that everything gets cleaned up.”
Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiamedia.com
https://www.pilotonline.com/2025/09/02/hampton-closes-main-library-after-mold-discovered/
