Bellingham Library space remains closed after crash

BELLINGHAM – The Bellingham Public Library’s community room, which was severely damaged when an elderly woman drove her car through the building last Friday, remains closed until insurance adjusters and engineers are able to inspect the room, library officials said.

“We are not able to use it (room) for public functions. At this point, we have no idea how long that will take,” Library Director Bernadette Rivard and Senior Youth Services Librarian Fowler said in a joint statement issued on the library’s web page. “However, we will do our best to continue to offer library services and programs in alternate spaces in the building, although some events may have to have attendance limited or be cancelled.”

The library is holding several of its morning programs, including Ring a Ding, in the new Teen Room. Because the

capacity of that room is smaller, and Ring a Ding does not require registration, attendance will initially be limited to the first 50 people who arrive.

“It might helpful if those of you who usually attend both weekly sessions of Ring a Ding pick one session to attend,” Rivard said.

In addition, the library’s Monday through Wednesday afterschool program for elementary school age children, which is normally held in the community room, will be moved to the children’s program room.

Rivard said the library will update its calendar with cancellations and location changes of library events. Also, patrons registered for library programs will receive emails on the status of those programs.

“We’re asking for patience while we work through the details and remain very thankful that no one was injured,” Rivard said. “The library staff looks forward to offering continuing services and programs to the Bellingham community.”

Police say the 87-year-old Bellingham woman may have mistaken the car’s accelerator for the brake pedal and drove the car through the wall of the library’s community room, which was unoccupied at the time.

According to reports, the car smashed through the library’s exterior wall and then struck a wall inside. Bellingham police officers and fire personnel responding to the scene found the car completely inside the building.

No one was injured, including the driver and a passenger in the car. Police declined to release the driver’s name and said no charges would be filed.

Both the operator and pas- senger were evaluated and released from the scene. The library was temporarily closed and then later reopened after the building was checked for structural damage.

According to reports, the car had been parked outside facing the library when the driver apparently stepped on the gas pedal. Firefighters were able to drive the vehicle out through the same hole in the building that the car went through.

“Thankfully the room was unoccupied and no one was injured in the crash,” Rivard said. “We’d like to thank our first responders for their prompt response and assistance in assuring everyone was safe.”

Rivard said the library is investigating options to prevent a similar accident from happening again.