Friends of LaValle Public Library

On August 28, 2018, La Valle’s Main Street filled with water from torrential rains. The flood levels rose quickly, engulfing roads and making bridges impassable. The Village was evacuated, but there was much that couldn’t be saved.

In the following days the damage to our beloved library became clearer. The waters had risen to approximately counter-level, coating the entire children’s library with mud. Hundreds of books and DVDs had been swept from the bottom three shelves throughout the teen and adult sections, and all of the chairs, desks and tables were upended in the slippery silt. The carpeting, of course, was soaked. A handcrafted shelving unit lay facedown in the muck. The drywall and insulation needed to be stripped out immediately to prevent black mold from spreading into the rest of the structure.





There is much still to be done. The shelves need to be re-assembled, and missing uprights and destroyed counters must be ordered. Books and furniture—reading chairs, computer desks and office chairs-- have to be replaced. Much of our stationery supplies (book covers, toner cartridges, labels, printer paper) were rendered unusable, and need to be reordered. We expect we’ll have to purchase new computers and printers. Even the most utilitarian expenses add up quickly.

We were blessed with willing volunteers for the gritty work of hauling out unsalvageable items. Now we’re looking again for help to afford what we need to rebuild. Thanks for your generosity!