MAHONING COUNTY With Ivan on the way, library officials aren't taking chances with flooding

Officials are hoping to be proactive in fighting the flooding.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- Library officials say they're not waiting for heavy rains from Hurricane Ivan to flood the Poland branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.
Janet Loew, library spokeswoman, said workers from Community Corrections Association were placing sandbags around the library today. Rain from the hurricane could reach the Mahoning Valley this weekend. She said the sandbags will remain in place until a more permanent solution can be found.
In May, nearby Yellow Creek overflowed from heavy rain, soaking carpets on the library's lower level and causing water damage to the Friends of the Library bookstore and a meeting room.
Officials said sandbags and airtight doors limited the amount of water that got in.
Overflowed again
Last week the effects of Hurricane Frances caused Yellow Creek to overflow its banks again.
Several inches of water got into the lower level of the building, soaking the conference room, bookstore and Chapters Cafe. Crews worked to rid the building of water and dried the carpeting.
Water also covered the library parking lot. Water marks could be seen on the lower half of the doors on the building where the water crested then withdrew.
Library officials want to be proactive in sandbagging now and prevent water from entering the building, Loew said. She said library officials also have a plan to address any potential mold problems from water in the building.
"Right now we don't know if we have a problem. We are still drying out the building," she said. "Once we do that we can assess if we have a mold problem."
Loew said the library is contracting with Lawhon and Associates out of Cleveland to recommend ways to deal with mold if it becomes an issue in the building.
Library officials are also waiting on a report from the consulting firm of Wallace and Pancher of Hermitage, Pa., that includes suggestions on how to deal with flooding at the library.
The library remains open.
jgoodwin@vindy.com