FARMINGTON – The Farmington Public Library is back in business following a three-week closure due to water seepage on the ground-floor level of the original section of the building, Librarian Jean Oplinger said.

“Old mortar was coming loose and foundation work was done creating dust throughout the building,” she said. “A one-week plan to close for the work extended to three weeks in order to complete the work and clean.”

Carpeting has been replaced in the section that had previous water damage.

“The library has experienced consistent water problems that we’ve worked on over the last two years,” said Richard Morton, treasurer of the Farmington Public Library Association. “Surface water leaching off the building into the basement area has now become a problem that required attention where it didn’t before since the library reconstruction has turned the basement into active library space,” he said.

Work on the library included installing a membrane on the outside of the foundation wall, improving drainage and a spout system away from the wall, sealing the former front steps on Academy Street and resealing the old stone foundation from the interior, Morton said.

The library reopened Feb. 24 and continues to be open from Tuesday through Saturday.

The library has a long history of serving residents, starting shortly after the town was incorporated. In 1799, a small group organized a social library until it disbanded in 1856. Following a few unsuccessful attempts to form a another library, the Farmington Public Library Association was incorporated in 1890. Building renovations including a lobby addition were completed in 2000.