Not only were homes and businesses impacted by flood waters last month, but public libraries suffered as well.
Five feet of flood water destroyed the Rainelle Public library’s entire print and digital collections. According to a press release from the West Virginia Library Commission, the Clendenin Public Library was declared a catastrophe. Flood waters forced out windows and left 8 inches of mud throughout the building. All books were destroyed, and the structural integrity of the facility is in doubt.
It’s estimated that it could take several months to get the libraries back up and running. Clay County Public Library also suffered damage in the basement of the facility, ruining computers and the heating and cooling system.
Books-A-Million stores in the state are supporting flood relief efforts to rebuild the collections, A portion of sales on Saturday July 16th will go to the state Library Commission. The commission is also looking for donations of money and man power to help clean up the libraries.