By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-1002199.mp3
Upper Jay, NY – The one-hundred-five year old Wells Memorial Library in Upper Jay, NY had never seen the Ausable River waters rise to threaten the building and the books it houses. But on August 28th Tropical Storm Irene caused the river to rise and inundate the library. Rather than close permanently, the library board decided they would clean up the building. Board President Marie-Anne Azar Ward says volunteers spent hundreds of hours over the past five months restoring the building.
The library lost a third of their 10-thousand books, most in the children's section. Marie-Anne Azar Ward says they have been amazed by donations from across the country that have helped restore their collection to nearly three-quarters of what they had on their shelves.
The library opened over the weekend with a reception for the community, but even before that celebration began, parents were bringing their children to play and check out books. Jessie Lavigne, from Jay, brought her two children.
Paul Johnson lives "8 houses down the road" from the Wells Memorial Library and calls its reopening a symbol for those, like him, who are still recovering from Irene's flooding.
Even Governor Cuomo took note of the library's opening, sending his Regional Representative Cliff Donaldson to the reception on his behalf.
There are no longer any materials stored in the building's basement. Marie-Anne Azar Ward notes that community officials are looking at the Ausable River and its potential for future flooding.
Books were being donated by people as they came in to celebrate the re-opening of the library.
Insurance covered part of the cleanup costs.