Libraries closed due to water damage, late fees waived
Patrons of the Windsor Public Library system have been given an extension on return dates for books following Tuesday’s widespread flooding.
CEO Kitty Pope said late fees will not be charged on materials until Saturday.
“Recognizing that this flood has impacted all of Windsor, for folks who are returning books to all locations, we are waiving all overdue fines for the next three days at all our locations,” Pope said Wednesday.
The flooding has also forced two branches — Budimir and Riverside — to close temporarily as cleanup efforts continue.
Pope said both buildings saw flooding in basement areas where meeting rooms and some storage are located.
Restoration companies were brought in to assess the damage and begin disinfection efforts.
The Riverside branch, located at 6305 Wyandotte St. E., has about 7,000 square feet of basement area.
Pope said the water level was more than ankle deep. It is believed all the flooring will have to be replaced but it’s unknown yet how much the walls have been damaged. As well, the building’s elevator shaft must be cleaned, serviced and re-certified.
The Budimir branch, located at 1310 Grand Marais Rd. W., has about 4,000 square feet of space in the basement.
“We totally hope that at least the main floor where the collections services are will be open by Saturday,” Pope said of both branches.
In the meantime, the library’s bookmobile, known as FRED or Freedom to Read, Explore and Discover, will be located in the parking lot of the Riverside branch every morning and at the Budimir branch every afternoon, “for those folks who really need access to a computer or need to return books or need to do some research or something,” Pope said. Staff will be on site to help out. All other Windsor branches are open for normal hours of operation.
Pope said updated information will be posted on the library’s website at windsorpubliclibrary.com.