The third floor of Alden Library is closed because of a small fire that started from a fan Tuesday morning, according to a library news release.
The library’s alarm system notified the Athens Fire Department and Ohio University Police Department, and they responded quickly, according to the release.
The fire caused limited damage, but significant smoke and soot spread through the open study areas and book stacks.
In the release, the library says it is working with specialists to ensure the spaces and the collections are clean and usable again, which is expected to take several weeks.
The open study areas and collections on the third floor will be closed during clean up, according to the release.
OhioLINK borrowing services and Interlibrary Borrowing remain available. The CoLab and the Friends of the Libraries Room will be open as well.