Wayland Free Public Library
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> Flood 2010 - FAQ
FAQ - Flood of Spring 2010
What happened to the Wayland Library during the recent floods?
The lower level of the Library has sustained serious damage to walls, insulation, flooring, fixtures, and the elevator. The lower level started flooding during the storm that started on March 12 and then completely flooded during the subsequent large rain storm on March 29-30. There were several inches of water everywhere on the ground floor until we started pumping water from the parking lot on April 7. By April 12, the water was mostly gone from the building.
Were any library books or audiovisual materials damaged?
No, thanks to a huge effort by about 30 library staff and volunteers who for many hours on Friday, April 2, formed a “human chain” to bring all of the Children’s Room collection upstairs.
How long will it take to repair the damage to the building?
Before the Library can be reconstructed, it must be dried out, which requires removal of wallboard, saturated flooring, and all furnishings. Because the lower level of the Library has sustained extensive damage, we anticipate that once reconstruction begins, it will take a couple of months to repair all of the damaged areas.
When will the Wayland Library re-open?
A conservative guess at when the library will re-open would be in early July.
If the upstairs of the library was not damaged, why can’t that part of the building be open to the public?
Because the Library will be considered a major construction site for the next couple of months, it will not be possible to allow public access to the building. Construction companies doing work in the building expect full access to an unoccupied building. Public restrooms are located in the lower level of the building and would not be available to the public, nor would the elevator.
Also, the entire Children's Room collection and the contents of all administrative offices and the technical processing area are being stored on the upper level, leaving very little floor space or access to the collection on the main level.
Can a temporary location be established for the Library?
Establishing a temporary location for the library for a couple of months would require an expenditure of time and money that is not warranted. By the time space was identified, computer networking to Minuteman was established, a suitable modified collection of materials was identified and segregated, and all furnishings, shelving, and materials were moved and set-up, there would only be a few weeks left to operate in a temporary location. It would not be a good use of town money and/or staff time. The situation might have been different if the staff had had several months’ time to plan for a temporary relocation.
Can I drop items in the book drop at the Wayland Library?
It appears that while the Library is closed, we will not be able to accept library materials at our book drops.
Our book drops are located in a construction zone. Please return items to one of our neighboring libraries or any other Minuteman Library. During construction, we will not be able to receive deliveries and, therefore, will not be able to transfer materials returned in the book drop to other libraries.
What should I do with my overdue books?
Materials belonging To Wayland:
You may return library materials to any Minuteman Library Network library. All of the libraries in our neighboring towns are members of the Minuteman Library Network. Our neighboring libraries have agreed to accept our materials and to waive all fines. Materials that belong at the Wayland Library may also be renewed online or by calling any Minuteman Library. We have temporarily extended renewal limits for items that belong to Wayland. You may also bring materials into the library yourself once the library has re-opened and we will waive any fines.Materials belonging to other libraries:
If you have materials belonging to other Minuteman Libraries, it would be best if you could return them to any other Minuteman Library so that they can be removed from your account and be returned to the owning library. If you are fined by another library for overdue items in April, please contact us and we will work with the owning library to have your fine reduced.
I returned books to Wayland during the first weeks of April that have not been checked in yet. When will they be checked in?
Once reconstruction work in our server room is completed, we will be able to re-establish a connection to the Minuteman Library Network and will be able to check in materials returned to our library during the flood. We hope to begin checking in those materials sometime in late April. At that time, we will be waiving fines for all materials returned from March 29 onward.
I requested some materials and now in my online account it says they are “in transit.”
There are currently thousands of items "in transit" back to the Wayland Library, most of which are being stored in a warehouse. We started processing these materials a few hundred at a time off-site in mid-April; eventually, your requested items will be available for pick up at the Weston Library, http://www.westonlibrary.org/. You will be contacted when they are ready for pickup.
Can I request books online and pick them up at one of the neighboring libraries?
Yes. You may request a book online through the library catalog in the usual fashion and choose one of our neighboring libraries as a pickup location. Also, if your requested material has not yet gone to "in transit" status, you should be able change the pickup location in your online library account. If you do change the pickup location, don't forget to click the "Update List" button!
Can I reserve museum passes?
Because we are closed, our passes are not available, but you may request passes from our neighboring libraries.
While the library is closed do I still have access to online resources?
YES!
~ Minuteman Library Network Library Catalog is available from our website 24/7, as are the following resources:
~ Downloadable Collection - ebooks and audiobooks
~ Electronic Resources – newspapers, magazines, investing information, book reviews, etc.
Is there a place to donate books for the Friends Book and Bake Sale?
The Friends Book and Bake Sale will be held in the Large Hearing Room of the Wayland Town Building on the weekend of May 15-16. Donations of books will be accepted during set-up in the Large Hearing Room on Wednesday, May 12, and Thursday, May 13. Donations of baked goods will be accepted from Friday until the end of the sale on Sunday.
What can I do to help?
Although no circulating library materials were lost in this disaster, quite a bit of furniture, library supplies, children’s toys and games, and equipment will need to be replaced. At this time, the best way to help would be by giving a gift to the Friends of the Wayland Library or the Wayland Library Millennium Endowment Fund. Both of these organizations are wholly dedicated to helping the library and both will be tapped as we begin to replace items and furnishings lost in the flood. Also, please attend the Friends Book and Bake Sale on May 15 and 16 at the Town Building. This is the Friends' major semi-annual fundraiser.
