While crews address water damage caused by a mechanical failure on Christmas Eve at the Shelby Township Library and investigate the cause, the Shelby Township Library uses experience from the COVID-19 pandemic to serve library patrons.
As large fans and dehumidifiers and water damage to furniture, shelves and fixtures make the library less than hospitable, the Shelby Township Library staff will kick off curbside pick-up on Jan. 9 and transition to policies similar to the library’s pandemic response to maintain as many services as possible while the library is closed.
“Going forward, we plan to open the Library for curbside service starting Jan. 9,” Library Director Katie Ester said. “As we did during COVID, we will allow folks to pick up books and other library materials, get library cards and assist with other services through a drive-up curbside model. This is hard on staff during winter weather, but it’s the only way to provide library service at this time. We did it before. We can do it again. January is not ideal, but neither was 100-degree weather in a tent in our parking lot in 2020. We’ll be thankful for the small mercies in this situation. Luckily, this was clean water, not sewage or grey water.”
Curbside service will run 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Patrons can call 586-739-7414 to arrange a pick-up. Additionally, library staff will be available by phone at 586-739-7414 or by email at shelbylib@libcoop.net for assistance. While the library is closed, all digital services are available at shelbytwp.org/library. Patrons can return items to the library’s 24/7 drop box on the eastern exterior wall.
While the damage was most significant in areas such as employee offices, the technology lab and small patron meeting rooms, there was no damage to any items in the library’s collection. Because of this, Ester and the library staff can focus on serving patrons and working with remediation crews from BELFOR Property Restoration and the township’s insurance agent, Nickel & Saph Inc. Insurance Agency, and its insurance carrier, Travelers Insurance, to reopen the library as soon as possible.
“Not one book, audiobook, DVD, Blu-ray, magazine, newspaper or other library material was damaged, not one,” Ester said. “This is absurdly unusual, and we are thankful for that. Also, Travelers Insurance was immensely pleased that we were working with BELFOR. They have a long-standing relationship with BELFOR and trust their work. I believe this will make the claim process smoother.”
Under the township’s active insurance policy, all library property and contents are fully insured against the water damage that resulted from the Christmas Eve mechanical failure. Because of this, there is no financial burden to taxpayers beyond the deductible.
“As with everything in Shelby Township, we built the library with a commitment to protecting our taxpayers,” Township Supervisor Rick Stathakis said. “I’m glad we have the proper insurance protection and coverage for the property and the library’s contents.
“I’m proud of the immediate response from the fire department, police department, maintenance crews and the library staff,” Stathakis added. “Our team sprung into action on Christmas Eve when they should have been spending the holiday with family and friends. Because of their commitment, we stopped the bleeding and started the process to reopen our beautiful library ASAP.”
Along with remediation of the building, the library is working with the Suburban Library Cooperative and other partners to assess and address damage to equipment and furnishings.
“BELFOR has been on-site since Christmas Eve, and remediation started Monday the 26th with hundreds of fans and huge dehumidifiers,” Ester said. “BELFOR began cataloging damage and had a mapping device take 3-D images of the entire building. BELFOR also had furniture restoration, technology remediation and electricians on site the week of the 26th.
“We’re assessing all the damage to see what we will need to replace in terms of furniture, technology lab components, chairs, end panels and more,” Ester added. “Working with our Suburban Library Cooperative, we plan to replace all technology lab computers and components, including 19 desktop computers, 10 laptops, a printer and print station, a scanner and two large screens.”
Currently, the insurance claim adjuster is investigating the cause and fault of the mechanical failure. Following that, the township will be able to provide further information on the nature of the failure and a timeline for reopening the library.
“Since our new library opened last July, it’s been a joy to see the community fall in love with this space,” Ester said. “We’re committed to getting our patrons back in here as soon as possible, and we will make sure it’s the same amazing place they’ve grown to love when they come back.”
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up