NORMAN, Okla. — The legal dispute over Norman Central Library could stretch at least six months longer as the parties jointly ask a judge to extend deadlines and postpone court dates. The city of Norman, the Norman Municipal Authority and other parties are seeking a 180-day delay. In a court filing, the city and authority said they are still developing a damages estimate and that their expert may need to inspect the building again before mediation resumes. Mediation had been scheduled for Nov. 17, with a status conference set for Dec. 7. Under the requested schedule, discovery would continue into May and the status conference would be moved to a date after June. The filing is a request; the court has not been reported to have granted it. The $39 million library has been closed since 2023, about four years after opening, following water leaks and mold. The city and municipal authority sued companies involved in the building’s design and construction. The Pioneer Library System, which operates the library, separately sued the city and authority. Pioneer said it is ready to take steps needed to reopen the facility but cannot move forward while the litigation is pending. The city had not responded to a request for comment as of Oct. 12. The closure has left Norman residents relying on other library services. Pioneer said it continues outreach and service through Library Lab at 121 S. Santa Fe, a 24-hour library in Reaves Park and City Hall, and its East and West Norman branches, which together offer 72 hours of service weekly. The system also cited expanded amenities at the West branch, including a Maker Lab, meeting rooms and outdoor learning space.