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about the Cedar Rapids Public Library When will we have a main facility back? There are certainly many factors that play into our timeline but we believe it is still possible to have a new facility online or well on its way in 2011. In the meantime, we will offer main library service from our Bridge Facility located in the Westdale Mall. We also have plans to open a smaller downtown “branch” facility located near the Food Court in the Armstrong Building. We expect this facility will open this summer. I heard that the determination by FEMA indicated that the library was more than 50% damaged. What does that mean? There are calculations that are performed by FEMA to determine the level of damage that was sustained by the building. With a greater than 50% level of damage, FEMA regulations, replacing the building is more cost effective than repairing it. What does “replace” mean in this context? FEMA’s 50% “repair vs. replacement” rule addresses only replacement of the building on the original site. What does this mean in terms of help from FEMA? In a replacement situation, FEMA will cover the cost for a new “like-kind” building in a 90% federal/10% state sharing ratio. Any improvements to the form, function, and/or design that are made as compared to the original building must be paid by local dollars. The Library Board of Trustees believes that the greater than 50% determination is positive news for the library. This decision provides us with the opportunity for a fresh start and a new building, preferably one located outside of the flood plain. Will the library building be torn down? It is too soon to know. The ultimate decision about the current land and building rests with City Council. The Library Board of Trustees is asking City Council to file an application with the State and FEMA for permanent relocation of the library. Why would you even consider rebuilding the library in a flood plain? Shouldn’t it be moved? The Library Board of Trustees is making a request of City Council to file an application with FEMA to avoid problems of the kind seen in June of 2008. If a relocation request is approved, FEMA will share in costs such as the cost of the land, demolition, site preparation, etc. The same ratio of 90% federal/10% state funding will apply. Even with a future flood protection system in place, our concern is that the library is a special use entity whose materials are very sensitive not just to the water but to the following humidity and mold. If we stay as close to the river as we are today, our emergency plan needs to include triggering a complete evacuation of the building and its contents when a predefined flood stage is reached. The flood stage would need to factor in a certain amount of contingency planning given the surge that was experienced in 2008. When the library is rebuilt will changes be made? With this new information, the Library’s Board of Trustees has the opportunity to consider changes and/or improvements. However, we must bear in mind that any changes made will not be reimbursed by FEMA but must be funded by local dollars. When will the library receive its money from FEMA? FEMA’s public assistance program is a reimbursement program. Once the Trustees and City have begun the architectural design and construction process, the City will submit bills to FEMA for reimbursement. FEMA funds are not given up-front on a lump sum basis. Why wasn’t more done to protect our building and collection from flooding? There were many steps taken to protect the building and the collection. We monitored all news reports and communications relating to flood levels. Sandbagging was underway by the morning of June 11. Close to midday on Wednesday, June 11th, the crest was changed to a potential 24.5 feet. Work crews were quickly assembled: additional resources were added to the sandbagging efforts already underway; 40,000 books and other items were moved to higher shelves; the Zerzanek children’s art collection was moved to the 2nd floor; computers were moved up; expensive electronic equipment from the Beems auditorium was moved to the 2nd floor. We planned for a crest of 26 feet. We effectively had a half day to move these items as the downtown area was to be evacuated by 5 pm. While it is hard to believe now, we were fully open for business all week, right along with other downtown businesses, until 5 pm on Wednesday, June 11th. For the library, this means an approximate 1,200 patrons in a day. While desks were very minimally staffed on June 11th, we completed all the above mitigation efforts with the help of volunteers. How were volunteers used? Early in the day, the library was grateful for the willingness of friends & family of staff members who helped to secure the building, move the most valuable library resources to the second floor, and move other books and equipment on the first floor to higher levels. However, as the day wore on and the waters rose, we found it necessary to decline other volunteer offers for help in order to ensure their safety and to meet the city’s mandatory evacuation of 5:00pm. Like the rest of the community, we were grateful for, and moved by, the many volunteers who continued to work in areas that were not under the evacuation order, like Mercy Hospital and the water plant substation on Edgewood Road. Still today, with the advantage of 20/20 hindsight, we believe this was the appropriate response for the library. Why didn’t Iowa City and Coralville experience the same level of loss? “Epic surge” is a very appropriate descriptor of what happened on Thursday, June 12th. After 5 pm on Wednesday, we were no longer allowed back in the library building. The crest in Cedar Rapids was over 31 feet, several more feet than what was predicted on Wednesday. The crest in Iowa City and Coralville took place over a longer period allowing more time for mitigation and/or evacuation efforts to take place. So why was the entire first floor collection lost? While we lost items directly to the floodwaters, a good portion of the collection was lost in a short period of time because of the humidity and mold. In fact, we were very fortunate to have saved the children’s collection on the second floor – that was saved because we were able to seal off this section of the upstairs to the rest of the building as a post flood effort. We estimate 160,000 items on the first floor were lost, worth an estimated $5-7 million. Librarians love their libraries and it was absolutely heartbreaking to lose our well loved facility and collection. The Library Board of Trustees greatly appreciates the countless hours that were put in by staff to mitigate the impact and to recover after the flood. Were any valuable items spared from the flood? Our one-of-a-kind Zerzanek children’s art collection, representing 850 items, was protected by being moved to a closed office space on the second floor. About half of these items, representing the cream of the collection, had been stored downstairs. In addition, approximately 1,000 books—many autographed—related to the collection were moved upstairs. The Zerzanek collection is the brainchild of former children’s librarian, Evelyn Zerzanek. Over many years, Ms. Zerzanek worked to collect illustrations from well known children’s authors and illustrators. This collection includes irreplaceable items like an original Dr. Seuss illustration that is dedicated to the Cedar Rapids Public Library. As soon as we could reasonably and safely move the collection offsite after the flood, we did. These are now being stored at Art Recovery Technologies in Detroit until we can house them again. In addition, expensive equipment from Beems Auditorium was also moved to the second floor. Was anything else saved? Even before the flood waters had receded, we were in close communication with Nancy Kraft, a preservation librarian from the University of Iowa, to develop a plan for freeze drying. We did freeze dry the following items: books of local and state history, plat books, laminated clipping files, maps, an obituary card catalog, and other miscellaneous items. All freeze-dried items are in storage and we will not know the full condition until we are in a permanent location. In total, 9 pallets of materials were saved. They are safer remaining in storage because we aren’t able to house them. Microfilm has been reproduced and is currently in storage. Why couldn’t you freeze dry more? For items that are truly replaceable, freeze drying is not an economical solution. Freeze drying is really geared for rare or unique type items that can not be easily replaced. Is the collection FEMA reimbursable? Yes. What about the flood of 1993? Did the library sustain any damage in that flood? In 1993, elevators and electrical systems were damaged by flooding. OK, so what are the next steps? The Library Board of Trustees will request the City Council to file an application with the State and FEMA for a permanent relocation of the Library. The above Q&A gives you additional context on why we believe relocation is important. We also plan to engage the community in a public participation process on the site location and building design. There is much to be excited about even in 2009. Has the flood changed the long term vision for the library? Our vision still holds true. We envision: • A main library that’s inviting, vibrant, and worthy of this country’s great tradition--free access to information for all citizens. • A west side branch, also inviting and vibrant and big enough to serve this part of our city. We want citizens on both sides of the river to enjoy the privileges that libraries provide. • A continued strong, collaborative Metro Library system among Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, and Marion. Three communities, yet one electronic catalog for seamless access that benefits all. • A venue for citizens of all ages and walks of life to learn, play, work, and discover the world through up-to-date library resources, programs, and a well-trained staff. Are you still committed to a west side branch? Yes, very much so. While the form it will take is still undetermined, yes, we remain committed to maintaining a west side branch even after a main facility has been built. What about the east side? Many years ago our patron usage shifted to Marion and Hiawatha libraries, especially after the new Marion library was built. In addition, as a community, we are able to save millions of dollars in terms of capital and operating costs through our seamless partnership with Marion and Hiawatha. Their residents receive full access to our library facilities and collection. Likewise, Cedar Rapids residents receive full access to these two east side libraries. Our metro library partnership is a “role model” for cost effective collaboration. The net effect is a triangle of coverage: Marion and Hiawatha for east side residents and a West side branch for west side residents with the Main facility being located centrally so that it is accessible equitably by all residents. One last question, will there be adequate and free parking at any new main facility? We hear you loud and clear. Adequate parking for our main facility is a “must do”. Free parking is also a highly desirable outcome the Board will be seeking. |