Politics & Government

Library to Close for Carpet Replacement Next Week

The Springfield Free Public Library is closing out 2011 by replacing carpets damaged in Irene.

UPDATED BELOW: From Saturday, Dec. 24 through Friday, Dec. 30,, the will closed its doors to the public while it replaces carpeting damaged during Hurricane Irene, with full regular library service resuming on Tuesday, Jan. 3.

Book drops will be open throughout this period and staff will be in the building.

“Parts of the library were flooded in Irene,” Library Directory Susan Permahos said in an email. “The meeting room, the lobby, the young adult room, the circulation area and part of the children’s room all had water.”

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FEMA insurance will pay for the cost of the carpet replacement. The library originally tentatively planned to open on Saturday, Dec. 31 from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. The Board of Trustees decided at their meeting last Thursday evening that the library will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 31 as well. The library will be closed the next two days in observance of New Year’s.

“We chose this week to close since children are out of school and we don’t have to worry about where the latch-key children will go after school,” Permahos said. “It is also a traditionally slow week.”

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