The Bridgeland library has been slowly reopening ever since Friday, Feb. 11 after a horrible smell previously circulated around the library affecting the librarian and her assistants, the students that check out library books and the animals that live there.

The library first appeared to be having an issue about a week and a half before it closed. A strong, sulfur-like smell floated down the hallways and polluted the atrium, however the foul scent smelled the worst in front of the main library entrance on the second floor. About two and a half weeks ago a putrid smell would appear in the library and then dissipate after about an hour or two, according to the head librarian, Beth Keene.

“In previous years we’ve had experiences with kids spraying fart spray in the library, but the last time it happened the student did it twice, it was obvious who it was because they were laughing, and I asked them not to do it again,” Keene said. “They were cool about it and didn’t do it again. But this time it’s been going on every day for like, two weeks.”

This rancid smell caused issues within the library, leaving those who work there and the library’s two pokey residents, Birdie and Oliver, in the stench all day long. Similarly, the issues extended to all of the students who stopped by everyday to check out and return books as well as utilize some of the library’s gadgets.

“The last time it was pretty bad, kids were complaining of headaches, kids were getting sick to their stomach and we have animals in here, so I decided to shut it down for a few days to try to send a message to the kids that we have lots of awesome stuff in here,” Keene said. “You know, it was funny once, it was kind of funny the second time, but after that it’s just kind of mean.”

The closure had left the library desolate and much more quiet than it was supposed to be. The library was devoid of its usual book crowd, the people coming in to see the hedgehogs and also the students who enjoyed some of the activities the center held. This also leaves the library assistants without a job to do and the interaction they normally receive.

“We sit at the front, we check people in, help people find books, help find their login information and more things like that,” senior and library assistant Rachel Dusek said. “When we were closed, there was no one in there to help, so we just sort of sat around doing nothing.”

The gradual opening will be continuing until the library, as well as the librarian and the assistants, feel more comfortable letting more people come in.

“People could be looking around for people walking and doing suspicious things in the corners of the library or by the doors,” Dusek said. “If you’re friends with a person who knows who is doing it, let them know that it’s not a funny joke and that there are actual animals and people who have to sit in there for an hour or more. It’s not as funny as people think it is.”