The Laney College library was recently cleaned in a way that may have created a bigger mess during an annual carpet shampoo treatment, which took place between the summer and fall semesters. 
On the first day of the fall 2015 semester, library staff started receiving complaints from students, faculty, and staff of a mildew odor. Library staff members said the smell grew within days of excess water being left behind from the summer carpet cleaning. 
The odor began as a simple damp smell, according to Principal Library Technician Andrew Skinner-Demps, who returned from vacation on Aug. 12, 2015. “My shoes actually squeaked as I walked across the carpets and there were visible wet spots,” said Skinner-Demps.
In an effort to mitigate the smell, Lysol and Fabreez were purchased using library discretionary funds, and were sprayed throughout the building by library staff. Spraying efforts masked the smell for a short time. 
The mildew odor returned and continued to grow, prompting Head Librarian Evelyn Lord to write an email request to the Laney College Business office requesting that the library carpets be re-cleaned, according to Skinner-Demps, who had no knowledge of a reply to the request. 
“A lot of times Laney gets the short end of the stick when it comes to facilities,” Skinner-Demps said. “We have great people who really care about [facilities] and the students, it would be nice if the facilities reflected that level of concern for our students.” 
An email obtained by The Tower reveals neglected library restrooms with outstanding work orders, including a work order for the third floor men’s restroom sinks dating back to Nov. 6, 2014. The email contains a list of seven outstanding work orders compiled for reference by the Laney Business Office in response to Lord’s update regarding an urgent sanitation issue. 
Lord’s update reads, “Per previous protocol suggested on this, I am sending an update regarding the issue of no running water in the third floor men’s restroom of the Laney Library. The restrooms in the library do not lock so we are unable to close them. 
“Here are the reports we continue to get from students: A gentleman approached the ref [reference] desk today and shared that guys are washing their hands in the water fountain due to the sink not working.
“He also stated that this is his second time sharing this information. I would like to know that his concern is being addressed.”
When asked for comment on outstanding work orders, Laney business office directed all inquiries to the Peralta Community College District offices. 
Director of Risk Management Gregory Valentine, Staff Assistant (of the Office of Risk Management) Carrie Burdick, Vice Chancellor of General Services Dr. Sadiq Ikharo, and Executive Assistant General Services Rosemary Vazquez, all could not be reached for comment before publication.
The Laney College library is now open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., in addition to regular weekday hours of operations, Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. and Fridays 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.