My understanding is that the cylinder and piston that’s buried more than four floors below ground has degraded and is leaking hydraulic fluid. I hesitate to speculate about why it can’t be repaired, given that I’m not an engineer.

During the board meeting, AADL director Josie Parker reported that anyone who needs to use an elevator can request to use the staff elevator, and they’ll be escorted to that one. My understanding is that for public meetings that last after the library closes at 9 p.m. – like most school board meetings, for example – there will still be staff on hand so that people can use the staff elevator when they leave.