Post-flood repairs disrupt quiet at library in Salem

The library is trying to replace each of the lost children's books.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- The stereotypical image of the silent library doesn't hold for the Salem Public Library, at least for now.
For weeks the quiet has been shattered by the sound of sawing and hammering and the comings and goings of workers who are repairing the nearly $450,000 worth of damage the library incurred in an Aug. 9 flood.
The damage total is significantly more than the original $20,000 cost of the library, which was built in the early 1900s with a gift from steel baron Andrew Carnegie, who helped establish many libraries.
Work on the Salem library, along East State Street, is proceeding on schedule and should be finished by January, said George W.S. Hays, library director.
Restoration includes replacing walls and installing new oak trim, doors and cabinets. Some bathrooms also are being renovated.
Throughout the upheaval, the library has largely maintained its normal operations.
Summer storm
Things were far from normal this summer, however, when Hays first viewed the destruction created by an hourslong deluge that overwhelmed the city's storm sewers and sent floodwaters cascading into the library's lower level, which is partly below ground.
Water inside the library rose to 3 feet in some places, though the main collection, on an upper floor, escaped harm.
Homes and businesses throughout the area were swamped.
"It was incomprehensible," Hays said, recalling his first glimpse of the library damage. "You could see furniture floating. Books floating."
Hardest hit was the library's children's department, where more than 8,000 books were destroyed or damaged.
All the water-affected books, even those with little apparent damage, were discarded because of possible contamination by the floodwater.
Insurance is covering the library's loss and making possible the repairs and book replacements.
Library officials' aim is to restore the children's book collection with the same titles that were lost.
But with some out-of-print books, that won't be possible, Hays said.
Work on repairing water damage in the children's room recently began.
Staying open
As it has since just days after the flood, the department will remain open during the renovation, with work areas sealed off.
Hays said the library's child patrons are captivated by the flood.
"They're fascinated. They're very interested," he said.
To help limit damage from future floods, the library is having a new sump pump installed.
"But if we have that type of rainfall again, I'm not sure if anything is going to help," Hays added.
leigh@vindy.com