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Most Materials Survived Flood at Shirlington Libraryby KRISTEN ARMSTRONG, Staff Writer |
| There is hope for materials that suffered
the November flooding at the Shirlington branch library. “Most of collection can be salvaged,” county library director Diane Kresh said. “We're currently doing an assessment of the computers to see if they can be salvaged, too.” After the flooding occurred, library officials opted not to reopen the small branch library, located in Shirlington Village. Instead, they decided to wait for the opening of the new Shirlington library, slated for early 2007. Salvaged materials will be kept in a secure location until the new Shirlington branch opens. But some materials will still have to be replaced, and library patrons can play a part in rebuilding the collection. “If customers are interested in donating to replace the damaged materials, they should consider donating to the Friends of the Library ‘Name in a Book' program,” said Susan McCarthy, Shirlington Library's branch manager. “With a contribution of $25 or more to Arlington Public Library, the person's name, or the name of the person chosen by the donor will be printed on a bookplate and placed in a new book.” Officials with Federal Reality Investment Trust, the property owners and managers of Shirlington Village, said it's too early to tell the total amount of damage to the building. Responsibility for the damage is yet to be assigned, but the burst pipe that caused the flooding has been traced to Bistro Bistro, the restaurant above the library space. The library system has rented the Shirlington Village space for several years, while the new Shirlington branch was being built. “Library staff is excited about welcoming familiar and new customers to the new library,” McCarthy said. |