Senior Gary Patti was a little confused last Wednesday when a Department of Public Safety officer wearing rubber gloves asked him to take his books and move to a different section of Pius XII Memorial Library. Patti said that the officer did not tell him why he and other students studying were being asked to move.

According to Saint Louis University Librarian Frances Benham, at about 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 31, a student alerted library staff about what he thought was a strange white powder on the wall in a study area on the second floor. She said that DPS closed that end of the floor until the powder could be examined.

DPS Lieutenant Arthur Mathews said that a few officers responded to the call, with someone from Facilities Services, who concluded that the questionable substance was clearly residue from the natural wearing-away of mortar between the bricks.

“It was obvious what the substance was, but we were taking standard precautions,” Mathews said.

Benham said that the section was re-opened at 6:30 p.m., about the time that large numbers of students usually arrive for evening study.

“We did not think there was a serious problem, but we wanted to be absolutely certain,” Benham said.