Traditionally, the library is supposed to be a quiet place. However, at the New Central Library in downtown San Diego, an ongoing noise has become a problem for nearby residents.
The noise – which some neighbors describe as an eerie howling – was discovered during construction of the new trademark dome library. Months later, it does not appear to be going away.
Downtown resident Claudette Cooper lives right across the street from the library in one of the three condominium buildings that directly face the dome.
Cooper said the sound coming from the large library is very distinct.
“It whistles, like it’s sort of eerie, like a haunted house,” she explained.
And closing the window isn’t enough.
“You still hear it. You can still hear it with the windows closed,” she said, adding that it’s even worse when there’s a storm or very windy weather.
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During last weekend’s big storm, residents said the building was howling.
“It was really loud,” said Cooper.
Daniel Scott said he doesn’t hear the noise every day but he can hear it from where he lives two blocks away.
“It varies in pitch. It goes from ‘ohh’ [to] ‘ahh,’” he said.
The noise issue was first discovered when the building was under construction. During its grand opening event last September, the sounds stemming from the dome could not be ignored.
So, is anything being done to curb the noise?
NBC 7 put out calls to the library spokesperson, the city’s public works department and the mayor’s office Tuesday, but did not hear back.
Cooper isn’t sure what could be done to stop the howls, but she has an idea.
“Maybe a plastic sheet on the inside might stop it. Maybe something clear to get rid of the noise,” she said.
But, until that or something else, residents can expect more sounds from the library.
