Community Corner

Ferndale Public Library Now Open After Nearly 3 Months

The Ferndale Public Library, which closed after flooding in November, is granting a two-week amnesty period for overdue materials for patrons who haven't returned items during the closure.

The has reopened after a nearly three-month closure due to a flood on Nov. 26.

 Ferndale Public Library Director Douglas Raber said the library could have opened midweek last week but library staff wanted to start fresh.

"We'll get a fresh week and start off with some momentum," he said.

In November, the library suffered a massive water leak when a rainwater treatment system malfunctioned and emptied an estimated 15,000 gallons from the upper level of the library into the main floor.

Although none of the collection and or more than 40 public computers was damaged, the water seeped into the old, porous concrete foundation. The long closure was due to drying that out and replacing the carpet.

Raber said altogether the cleanup and the recovery of the flood would come to about $400,000.

The library repairs included new carpeting, damaged drywall and various fixtures and items in the staffing area where the bulk of the damaged occurred.

The flood came three months after the library had reopened after a $4.5 million expansion that also upgraded the library with a number of green features. Recently, the library received an Honorable Mention as "Green Project of the Year" for the project from the Construction Association of Michigan on Feb. 2. There were just five other projects given this award in the state.

During the closure, , effective Feb. 25. In response to that, the library board selected head of reference and adult services Ed Burns as . And then shortly after that, . The board had selected John Sterritt to take her place.

The board also recently selected Tiffani Gagne and Judeen Bartos to fill vacant board seats.

But despite the change and the turnover, the Ferndale Library is ready to move on.

"Our first order of business will be to get back up and operating again," Sterritt said. "Get our book groups going, we have music plans. Get open for business. Get up and rolling."

For those people who have haven't returned books during the closure, the library is granting an amnesty period for overdue material for two weeks, until March 7.

"There's quite a bit checked out still that is overdue," said Ferndale librarian Darlene Hellenberg.

The Ferndale Public Library will be open 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday; and noon-5 p.m. Saturday. The library is closed Sunday.


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