Library to Reopen Early Due to Community Support

The Glen Ellyn Public Library is set to reopen on Saturday, April 27 after sustaining considerable damage from last week's flood, in time to host the Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War Opening Gala, according to a library news release.

The library initially planned to reopen April 29, but community support may have "expedited" the recovery process, according to the release. 

“I am taken aback by the support we have received from the Glen Ellyn Community,” library Marketing Coordinator Anthony McGinn said in a statement. “I received more than 100 e-mails last Thursday alone from library members making sure everyone was safe, some offering to volunteer, others offering donations. I cannot express how uplifting those messages have been to me and our staff.” 

Staff has been working since September to create a fun and engaging Abraham Lincoln themed event on April 27 for the entire community, McGinn said.  “After the flood damage threated to close our library until April 29, a collective heartbreak surrounded our staff and our library members who had been looking forward to April 27 for some time.”

After surveying the damage, Library Director Dawn Bussey coordinated a massive cleanup effort to ensure the safety of the building and to try to reopen as soon as possible.

Bussey first coordinated a disaster relief process, which involved removing 5-feet of water from the library’s basement, reestablishing sub pumps and wastewater pumps, holding electrical and fire panel inspections, and ensuring the functionality of the restrooms and elevators, according to the release. Bussey and other library staff worked long shifts (some working until 5am) to complete the disaster relief process.

The library has now transitioned to restoration mode, which means certain areas will be closed to the public, including the Meeting Rooms, which will need new carpeting and repaired drywall. 

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“We have been working with the Planning and Development division of the Village of Glen Ellyn to ensure safety,” says McGinn. “Staff and library member safety is our number one priority. We are taking every single precaution to ensure that our building is safe before opening to the public on April 27.”

While the building remains closed to the public Thursday and Friday, library staff have stationed themselves outside the main entrance for curbside service where patrons can return books, pick up holds, and check out materials.

Yesterday, Glen Ellyn Public Library members checked-in 799 items and checked-out 360 items using curbside service, according to the release.

Curbside service will be offered from 9am-5pm on Thursday and Friday. The library will resume normal operating hours on Saturday, April 27 with the Lincoln Opening Gala running from 1:30pm to 4:00pm.

Information courtesy of a press release from the Glen Ellyn Public Library.

More on flooding: 

• Letter to the Editor: Milton Township Republicans Organize Volunteer Activities
• Flood Response: Village of Glen Ellyn Holding Special Refuse Collection
• MWRD works around the clock to provide flood protection
• Wheaton Flood 2013: Special Garbage Collection This Week for Flood-Damaged Items
• Flooding Closes Glen Ellyn Library Until April 29
• Dispatches from DuPage: Stories of the April 2013 Flood
• Amazing Photos of April's Floods in the Chicago Area
• Assessing Home Appliances After Water Damage
• Gov. Quinn Declares State of Emergency
• Rainfall Totals in Chicago Suburbs
• Photo Gallery: DuPage County Underwater in Spring Flood
• District 200 Cancels Classes; County Offices Closed Thursday