NATCHEZ — A faulty air conditioning unit is keeping the Natchez Library too warm, even for summer reading.

Susan Cassagne, director at the George W. Armstrong Library, said the air conditioning unit is randomly turning off, keeping the temperature at 84 degrees or more.

The issue caused the library to close at 1 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, which interferes with summer programs and day-to-day operations.

Cassagne said staff is making decisions to close or stay open, cancel or continue with summer reading programs according to how the air conditioning unit functions that day.

“The building is like a big brick oven,” Cassagne said Tuesday. “We knew the afternoon sun would just heat it up more.”

Cassagne said parents were fanning themselves at the morning summer reading program Tuesday.

“People were even walking in the library, turning around and walking out because it’s so warm,” Cassagne said.

Cassagne said the air conditioning unit has been finicky the last several years.

“A few years ago, we were only open 8 to 11 a.m. every week,” she said. “Every summer brings that uncertainty.”

Cassagne said county maintenance employees have worked on the air conditioner several times, and she is looking forward to the Adams County Board of Supervisors awarding a bid that will go toward correcting the problem.

“The county has gotten grant approval and legal notices have run, but it will be the second July board meeting when supervisors award the bid, and it will probably be August before we get work done,” Cassagne said.

The library director said she is concerned for the computers and servers in the building.

“Computers are not cheap toys,” Cassagne said. “They are so slow when they’re warm, and if they get too hot they shut down and crash. If the servers overheat, we lose our databases, and that’s the brain and heart of everything we do.”

Cassagne said “grace days” will be granted to library patrons who cannot return books on time due to early closings.

“We appreciate people’s patience,” Cassagne said. “These are circumstances beyond our control.”

Cassagne said for the time being, patrons should call the library if they plan on coming after 1 p.m. to be sure it is open. The library’s number is 601-445-8862.