Flooded Library Closed for One Year

Cedar Rapids Public Library in downtown SE Cedar Rapids after the flood on Thursday June 19, 2008. (Cedar Rapids Public Library)

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Flooded Library Closed for One Year

by Mike Wagner, Managing Editor

By Mike Wagner

(CEDAR RAPIDS) -- The director of the Cedar Rapids
library says it will be at least one year before the downtown
library reopens.
The library was damaged in flooding last month and library
Director Tamara Glise says plans are in the works to rent a former
Big Lots store to house the library in the interim.
Floodwaters likely destroyed the entire adult collection at the
main branch.
Library spokeswoman Marie DeVries says the main library will not
be able to move into the former Big Lots store until at least fall.
About 32,000 books were checked out when the library was
flooded. Those books will be used to start a new collection.
DeVries says the library hopes to set up an online donation
system for new books, where someone can buy books from a wish list
and donate them to the library.
The library has been lending books from its Westdale branch,
which officials say they hope to expand by later this summer.

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Monday, Jul 7 at 11:07 AM Katie wrote ...

Does anyone know if the microfiche or old newspapers were destroyed?

Monday, Jul 7 at 9:26 AM JMT wrote ...

Its great to see that everybody wants to donate their used books. And don't let this comment stop you, but keep in mind that libraries can't keep everything. They usually have a collection development policy that lays out what types of items will be added to the collection. Quality is often more important that quantity. I don't work at the Cedar Rapids Library so I am not the official word on this. I just want to remind people that everything they donate will not be added to the collection.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 10:28 PM Why do we need a library? wrote ...

Because...has anyone ever noticed that a conversation between two people who read tends to be of higher intelligence, as opposed to a conversation between two people who have not opened a book in years?

Sunday, Jul 6 at 10:20 PM Library Mom wrote ...

My family and I are extremely saddened by the loss of this wonderful resource. Since we moved to Cedar Rapids in 1999, the library has been a monumental staple in our summers due to the extensive summer programming. It does make you wonder how on earth they are going to be able to rebuild when they were losing so much funding already and with a struggling economy. Very sad indeed...

Sunday, Jul 6 at 8:51 PM Deb wrote ...

Congratulations to the CR Library Staff for finding a location that can be used to offer their library services to the citizens of CR. There are so many valuable resources that are available at a library--story hour, videos, DVD's, magazines, newspapers, etc. Don't stop using the library, they are still receiving some of the items because the subscriptions didn't stop just because of the flood. Keep up the good work CR Library Staff.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 8:24 PM Joe wrote ...

This might be too "grass roots" to be effective, but.. what about working out a deal with Amazon.com where people on the Internet can buy used books in the normal way and then say "Ship to the CR Library" -- Then it would be a well-known web site, and they could collect donations from all over the country, if not the world. To reduce duplicates, Amazon could handle the "wish list" and recommend books for people to buy & donate.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 1:45 PM Bad location wrote ...

If the library is going to open again, it needs to open in a totally new location, if this can happen once it can happen again, we can't continue to pay for flood damage, if you build in a flood plain you should be on your own, don't expect taxpayers to have to pay for the damage, we have enough of our own problems to deal with, maybe the people who USE the library should pay for it, leave the rest of us alone. Will anyone be able to afford to shop in CR after all the repairs are made???

Sunday, Jul 6 at 12:44 PM Brad wrote ...

Librarylover, why should "we" have to blame any group of people or an organization. Flooding cannot be controlled. People do their best to predict nature, but the science of prediction is not 100%.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 12:39 PM booklover wrote ...

I was not aware that any books were moved. My questions were based on the news stories indicating that the only books saved in the adult collection were those checked out. Obviously, the flood levels were terribly mispredicted. If things were moved in anticipation of forcasted water levels then I certainly stand corrected. All facts should be given in the news stories. This story and others have given no indication anything on the 1st floor was saved.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 11:00 AM librarylover wrote ...

I keep hearing people say the library should have done more to save the books. They did what they thought was right at the time. I was in the library an hour before they closed in liue of the flooding. At that time they had moved all books off the lower shelves. Which according to the NWS would have been enough to save everything. It wasn't until after the water was rising that the NWS corrected the crest levels - and they were intially WAY OFF!! So blame the NWS not library officals.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 8:02 AM To 9;48 pm Annoyed wrote ...

"Libraries are great and it does need to be rebuilt, maybe not in a flood plain?! " - Don't make a comment in your message about people's writing/spelling skills and then use such an atrocious sentence. " The library is great and it does need to be rebuilt" Full stop. Or " Libraries are great and they should be rebuild." Full stop. " Perhaps it should not be rebuilt in a flood plain?" or " Perhaps they should not be build in a flood plain." Do you note my sarcasm or do I just seem like a snot?

Sunday, Jul 6 at 7:22 AM Anonymous wrote ...

They based their planning on what was the river's original predicted crest (which was a lot lower than it ended up being), and moved the books above that, so they did try to save them from water damage. Just thought I'd clarify that. Want to blame someone? Blame the weatherman.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 1:31 AM New to Cedar Rapids wrote ...

I moved to Cedar Rapids last summer and have seen "the worst" weather anyone has seen in years. One of the first good things I noticed about this are was the wonderful library. With that said I must admitt I was a little confused as to why it was allowed to be completely destroyed. Iowa City knew the flood would be bigger than anticipated because of what we went through, we should have learned from Waterloo, etc. My friends and I were turned away as volunteers because "we werent needed" Really

Sunday, Jul 6 at 12:21 AM Leslie from 6th st. s.w. wrote ...

....cont A library could sure be a get-away for the kids that don't even have a home to go back to right now.

Sunday, Jul 6 at 12:05 AM Richard Morrin wrote ...

I do hope the library will ask for used books, especially the reference ones. Why didnt they ask local trucking company for 3 or 4 trackers and trailers and call for volunters? You would have had as many show up as did to sandbag the water well on edgewood. Who needs the Library one asks?...It is a foundation for learning that cant be replaced. The schools dont have the money to shelf all those books.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 11:57 PM Leslie from 6th street s.w. wrote ...

This is to those who have no idea what the flood does to items. We were out of our home for 5 days with everything closed. The humidity plus the water damaged everything. We had mold growing on furniture. Everything needs replaced-even plaster walls. Mold grows faster then I'm sure you think. I doubt if any of the books were salvagable-they were probably all mush-no one knew that terrible morning the losses this city or the people were going to endure.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 10:48 PM Sparqy wrote ...

I'm assuming 32,000 books having been checked out at the time of flooding indicates that at least a few people appreciated the resources the library has had to offer.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 10:45 PM booklover wrote ...

I am sure this will be an unpopular comment, but I do agree with Karen in that I think some of the books could have been saved. I am not cynical enough to believe that library staff would or did intentionally leave books in harms way. I acknowledge that moving the thousands of books the library contained would have been a daunting task, but I think volunteers could have saved resources that were lost. No one knew how high the water would rise, but we did know that the library would see some.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 10:15 PM earlywalker wrote ...

I was one of the LOUD protestors when the branch library at Town and Country closed. Why not rent the space that Arronson rental furniture used to be. Many do not want to have to drive to the West side .

Saturday, Jul 5 at 9:48 PM annoyed wrote ...

There are many hateful people writing! First, to Karen, I do get your sarcasm (sorry most posting on here are not intelligent enough to 'read' that). Second to all you haters, please check your spelling! You are lecturing about the need for a library, but can't write a decent sentence! Libraries are great and it does need to be rebuilt, maybe not in a flood plain?! And Karen is also right in suggesting other resources to purchase these books, such as grants. Many citizens have to rebuild homes!

Saturday, Jul 5 at 9:39 PM hapmom wrote ...

I think the idea of people donating their used books is a great idea. Many people who use and love the library would be more than glad to do this! The library is a great place for families and a important resource for everyone in Cedar Rapids. Those people who don't care to use the lbrary should not say the negative words about the library, but those who use the library need to pull together and help out where possible.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 9:14 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Native Iowan, I believe Lisa said the quality of the library was ONE OF the reasons she stayed. And yeah, she should have based on her decision to stay on more important things...for instance the bars that I am sure you must frequent regularly.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 4:41 PM Adam Wright wrote ...

The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation gave millions of dollars to assist in the rebuilding of New Orleans Public Libraries. Now ours in the same quandry. I would like to see as many Cedar Rapidians as possible send the Gates Foundation a letter or email telling them what our public library means to us. They can be contacted at: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation PO Box 23350 Seattle, WA 98102 Email: info@gatesfoundation.org

Saturday, Jul 5 at 12:45 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I can't understand what people are saying you can find everything at a library on the internet does no one pick up a book to read just for pure enjoyment anymore you cannot find that on the internet. I hope like me people are teaching their children the pleasure a book can bring not just find what you want on the internet. the library is a priceless asset to all of us and we should do whatever we can to bring it back.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 12:11 PM Courtesy of a Gazette reader wrote ...

The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation gave millions of dollars to assist in the rebuilding of New Orleans Public Libraries. Now ours in the same quandry. I would like to see as many Cedar Rapidians as possible send the Gates Foundation a letter or email telling them what our public library means to us. They can be contacted at: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation PO Box 23350 Seattle, WA 98102 Phone: (206) 709-3100 (Reception) (206) 709-3140 (Grant Inquiries) Email: info@gatesfoundation.org

Saturday, Jul 5 at 12:05 PM For Karen wrote ...

Woohoo a year off with no pay for no job because one's place of employment no longer exists! A year of dealing with the complexities of trying to rebuild a library and the physical and mental strain that entails. A year of tracking down books and dealing with impatient patrons. YES! I see your point! Who wouldn't want this? This whole flood was clearly a conspiracy orchestrated by the library staff!

Saturday, Jul 5 at 10:15 AM susan wrote ...

Libraries are so much more than just a collection of books. They are a valuable resource for education and culture. They are also a meeting place for the community. Libraries need new books because of the usage of the books. But used books could be used for a book sale. Plus I would like to say I love and respect my librarians.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 9:34 AM Emily wrote ...

To Karen at 11:50; you are ridiculous. Did you realize that most of the books/things on the 2nd floor were also ruined because after the flood no one could could get in for almost 3 weeks to recue them? Mold and humidity ruined EVERYTHING. The kind of person who says "who needs a library anyway" is the kind of person who makes us moral, intelligent people who try hard to make a honest living look bad.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 9:13 AM Molly wrote ...

Karen, Even if they had managed to have moved all of the books upstairs like you suggested, they still could have lost the entire collection because of air quality and humidity. Books absorb any odors, moisture and other substances that they come in contact with. If the pages in the books become damp from humidity and begin to mold, they can still lose the collection. Mold spreads quickly among books and even if they don't mold, the humidity can cause pages to warp.

Saturday, Jul 5 at 3:37 AM Native Iowan wrote ...

To Lisa, You said Quote:"The wonderful libraries here are one of the reasons we chose to stay in this area" Forgive me if I may be so Blunt. But why would you base the decision on where to live, by the quality of the Library? Shouldn't you make ur decision on WAY more important things? Like the crime in your neighborhood, future property value, jobs in the area, etc. I know the "Library" is just ONE of the reasons 2 live in this area, there are far greater important aspects of CR to choose from

Saturday, Jul 5 at 1:23 AM Lisa wrote ...

I love the Cedar Rapids Library. The wonderful libraries here are one of the reasons we chose to stay in this area. Our family will definitely donate books -- and do anything else we can to help.

Friday, Jul 4 at 11:54 PM Anonymous wrote ...

"The board on Thursday approved a non-binding letter of intent to lease the Big Lots building for a little more than $27,000 per month. A public hearing on the issue is scheduled for 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Marion Public Library." .......from Gazette

Friday, Jul 4 at 11:08 PM jlm wrote ...

Why don't they just stay in the Big Lots building perm? It won't flood. What everyone needs to remember is that next year a flood could happen again and we would be doing all this for nothing. I think it is quite stupid the city is going to tell people in the 100 year flood plain they can't rebuild because of the risk of a flood, but yet spending millions of dollars to rebuild the courthouse,jail and city hall in a place that will flood first. So whose best interest do they have in mind?

Friday, Jul 4 at 9:48 PM Kara wrote ...

I am feeling the loss of the downtown library sorely, and am sorrowful to read the comments that suggest that resources shouldn't be given to buy new books, and to see the assumption that the library will receive vast government funds automatically. This is not the case. For anyone who values freedom, more than ever, access to literature (old and new) is vital. Please support the library with funds and by utilizing the branches that are open. Thanks for reading.

Friday, Jul 4 at 9:22 PM Michelle wrote ...

The flooded library hit me hard. My mother was one of the originators of the library at the time it was built. She helped computerize the whole catalog system. As a young teen I spent many Saturday mornings there, volunteering. Those books could never have been moved in time to save even half of them, it took WEEKS to get them moved to the new building. You think volunteers could move them in hours? No, rethink what you're saying.. quit laying blame on a flood NO ONE had control over.

Friday, Jul 4 at 9:09 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Saying you can get everything on the internet that you can get in a library is lame. You can get plenty of stuff you don't "need", often by accident, on the Internet too. Call me old-fashioned but staring at a computer isn't the same experience as reading a book. It's also why kids today are idiots and near-illiterates. Their idea of "reading" is passing text messages.

Friday, Jul 4 at 8:28 PM rwt35 wrote ...

KAREN you are a dumb lady that i bet has never stepped into a public library....sure you may havewnt to college????did you ever use that one...takind a GOOD guess, I bet not

Friday, Jul 4 at 8:15 PM joan wrote ...

i don't live in c.r. any longer,but i will donate a book. when i was a child the library was my source of enjoyment. i read many books for enjoyment and a fantasy getaway. nancy drew being my favorite. karen have you read a mystery novel. it's great fun and even more fun when it can be checked out for free!

Friday, Jul 4 at 5:58 PM To Alex and Holli wrote ...

Books checked out from the downtown library can be returned to the Westdale, Hiawatha or Marion locations. All 4 locations share resources. You can also return them to the book drops at local HyVees. For more info - http://crlibrary.info

Friday, Jul 4 at 5:49 PM To Karen wrote ...

GROW UP! The library is an AWESOME place to go where you can some what escape the real world for a while by reading a book or two, but its obvious to us all that you really don't appreciate all that a library has to offer. BUT to sit there and ask "Who needs a library anyway?" and "...just so they can take a year off?" Stop and think for a moment before opening your mouth with such rediculous comments or questions because one of these days, you will eventually see how badly effected we all were!

Friday, Jul 4 at 5:35 PM Cedar Rapids wrote ...

Karen has a GOOD point. With the internet almost everything you can find in a Library you can find with "Google". Everyone Knows the Library will be fixed up, better than before. Something like a loss of a Library will no doubt get TONS of Federal and State Grants etc. If they still ask for more money, then I guess CR doesn't need such a Large Library. Does anyone REALLY need all those books. Some of the books have been on the shelves since the Library opened and have NOT been checked out since.

Friday, Jul 4 at 5:35 PM Anonymous wrote ...

People probably will donate used books. But not enough.

Friday, Jul 4 at 5:06 PM ok wrote ...

When i see pictures of the flood, it looked like a lot of the library was under water, but i could be mistaken. I hope they did get to save a lot of books and other resources there. I would also donate all my used books to the library. This town will come back, it just takes time

Friday, Jul 4 at 4:30 PM Tarrill wrote ...

Karen, hindsight is always 20/20. I work downtown on Third ST SE. On that fateful Wednesday, we moved things off the floor as a precaution never dreaming we would end up with 6 ft of water on the first floor. By the time, it was apparent that the water was headed our way, it was too late to do it over. Please don't look for people to blame. Join the community in rolling our sleeves and rebuilding our library. Our children and grandchildren deserve the best library we can give them.

Friday, Jul 4 at 4:14 PM Book Worm wrote ...

Why do they have to have NEW books when people would be willing to donate USED books? I have a lot of books I could donate instead of giving them to Goodwill (they all end up on the floor there and are not well taken care of).

Friday, Jul 4 at 4:11 PM #88fan wrote ...

What About People that had stuff in pawn shops

Friday, Jul 4 at 3:44 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Karen is probably the type of person who thinks the biggest losses downtown were the BARS.

Friday, Jul 4 at 3:42 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Karen. Your comment asking "who needs a library" has an answer. It's you who needs it because obviously you cannot read. They are not taking the year off. They have moved their operations to Westdale and are looking for temporary space of their own.

Friday, Jul 4 at 3:39 PM Cindy wrote ...

Does anyone know what the status is of the children's collection? No articles ever mention anything about that.

Friday, Jul 4 at 2:42 PM Dave wrote ...

I hope they got all the historical and reference books upstairs. I used to go there all the time as a youngster and read those old CR books, etc etc. And the microfilm collection too. Most other books should be replaceable. Best of luck CR!!!

Friday, Jul 4 at 2:14 PM Alex and Holli wrote ...

I was just wondering where you would like us to take books that were checked out from that library.

Friday, Jul 4 at 1:58 PM C wrote ...

This is a great loss for CR and everyone who used the library...im very sorry this resource is no longer! i have faith that it will get back on its feet!! GOOD LUCK... another thing...get messanger to fight about stories like this...a news page about the losses in our community is no place for ur childish behaviors!

Friday, Jul 4 at 1:54 PM Karen wrote ...

That's right, you can't read sarcasm. My point was that there were so many volunteers during the flood that people were turned away. The library could have easily had 100 people in there moving books upstairs. But instead they chose not to....so they could take a year off?

Friday, Jul 4 at 1:53 PM Someone wrote ...

This upsets me. I am a teenager that actually appreciates the public library and this is horrible that we aren't going to be able to use it.

Friday, Jul 4 at 1:40 PM Adam wrote ...

Thats too bad, the library was one of those places you could go and forget that you were in Cedar Rapids. I'll be waiting for the book wish list so I can purchase some, even though I don't even live in Iowa anymore. What about book donations?

Friday, Jul 4 at 1:18 PM Michelle wrote ...

This is a great loss for Cedar Rapids.. some of those books were historical, probably out if print and will be irreplaceable. It would have taken an incredible amount of man hours and people to move an entire collection upstairs. I am sure they saved what they could...hopefully the community will pull together to replace this educational resource.

Friday, Jul 4 at 12:59 PM Toni wrote ...

AS a librarian in a small town, it upset me to hear that someone could be so narrow minded as to say "Who needs a library anyway?" Libraries are the soul of the community. It's where anyone can go and stay informed through all kinds of technology along with reading any book they choose. If libraries were not around, people from all walks of life would suffer. Libraries are the great equalizer and if you don't use the library, you are missing one of the greatest "free resources" available.

Friday, Jul 4 at 12:55 PM Re: Karen wrote ...

That's rude Karen. Get over yourself. A lot of people were unprepared for this horrible event. No one said you had to donate.

Friday, Jul 4 at 12:48 PM Hello? wrote ...

Evidently Karen doesn't need the library. Ever been in one?

Friday, Jul 4 at 12:41 PM Liz wrote ...

Terrible leadership. While there were plenty people would like to volunteer whoever need, the library never ask for help. Now they ask money for new book instead of ask people to donate books. What?

Friday, Jul 4 at 12:36 PM Jess wrote ...

Hmm, well apparently Karen doesn't use the library. For those of who see it as a great community resource, I think donating one or two books in exchange for the thousands we can borrow is reasonable.

Friday, Jul 4 at 12:19 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Karen..I take it you were not effected by the flooding,Or listened to the news for that matter.Nobody predicted it would be this catastrophic.They moved that stuff in case the water flood small amounts of the floor.Also, did you go downtown and offer to move the thousands of books to the upper level? It was a lot of work and they were trying to save what they could.I do hope that you have done something to help this community and not continue on your selfish ways.PS. CR DOES need a library

Friday, Jul 4 at 11:50 AM Karen wrote ...

Bogus, they knew it was gonna flood and moved "non-replaceable" items to the upstairs. Now they want citizens to buy all new books? They could have moved the books upstairs. Well, who needs a library anyway, right?

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