Kent Library entrance closed due to brick shift

Southeast Missouri State University officials temporarily shut down the rear entrance to Kent Library on Wednesday after noticing a portion of the brick panels had shifted.

"One of our employees saw it, and we looked at it and didn't know if it was from the heat or not," said Scott Meyer, director of facilities management at the university.

Workers removed some of the bricks to eliminate any danger so the entrance could be re-opened.

Nothing actually fell from the building, Meyer said. Some of the bricks moved an inch or less, he said, but the school wanted to use an "abundance of caution" and close down the entrance.

Meyer said the university has contacted the original architect who designed the panels. He said the architect will contact the structural engineers to determine the cause and extent of the damage. Meyer said it may be determined that no repairs are necessary.

Kent Library was built in 1939 with an expansion in 1968. Meyer said the brick panel was added a few years ago.