By Jennifer Hoegg
For the first time in a month, Kentville’s library will open its doors to the public at 10 a.m. on Nov. 15.
A mechanical failure on Oct. 14 caused a flood that soaked the Cornwallis Street building, ruining the carpet, drywall, some furniture, a computer and 120 books. Everything had to be packed up while the space was dried out and carpets were replaced.
Annapolis Valley Regional Library employees were at the town-owned building Nov. 9, assembling shelving and moving furniture, getting ready to reshelf the branch’s 14,800 items.
“We’re very excited,” regional librarian Frances Newman said. “It’s a great relief to get things back to normal again.
“It’s unfortunate that our public were inconvenienced over the past month and our staff,” she added, “but things will be back to normal soon.”
The carpet is now in and the painting is done, town chief administrative officer Mark Phillips said
“It’s just about putting the pieces back together,” Phillips said. “The carpet is in and the painting is done.”
He said the town’s portion of damage would cost between $10,000 and $20,000. Kentville’s insurance covers the building and major furniture; the library’s covers materials and computers, Frances said.
Phillips said the mechanical failure couldn’t have been predicted and “no corrective measures” are needed to prevent a future incident.
One little hitch – a new circulation desk hasn’t arrived yet.
“Staff will be using folding tables to set up their work space,” Newman said. “We know our patrons really missed the library and felt it was essential to open as soon as possible so as not to inconvenience the public any longer."
Extended hours for the bookmobile and the Port Williams branch, which were added to accommodate displaced library patrons, will end when the Kentville branch reopens.
