Monday Post from Donna

Work continues apace.  The shelves are now being removed.  Cleaning continues.  The staff met to brainstorm next steps and we continue all to be thankful for the outpouring of support from the community and our neighboring libraries.  Bow is our most recent addition!

We have been receiving a steady flow of cards and letters, many with checks made out to the Hopkinton Library Foundation.  We are tremendously grateful.  As we have said, we are currently assessing the damage and planning next steps, working closely with Primex.  We have the singularly exciting opportunity to reflect on what we have been doing and how we've been using our space and planning how we can be more effective in all that we do.

Two heart warming notes among many are shared below.  One from some young library users and another from a library in Ohio, out of the blue.   Hope you can read the text!

Bow library added to list of libraries welcoming our patrons

The Baker Free Library in Bow has been added to our list of libraries welcoming our patrons while the Hopkinton Library is closed!  The library is located just off exit 1 off I-89 at 509 South St. in Bow.  Thank you neighbor!

Slideshow of photos

You can view a slideshow of photos of the library fire and recovery efforts here.  Thank you to Town Administrator Neal Cass for taking and sharing these photos.

Friday 8/10 update

Friday's report from Neal Cass. You can see photos here.

FRIDAY LIBRARY FIRE UPDATE
There isn’t as much new information to report today, but here is what we have. It is likely that from now on we won’t have new information every day.
BOOKS
As you can see in the photos, the books are being moved out. Through Thursday, 900 boxes of books had been moved out with an estimated 300 more boxes to go.

CLEANED BOOKS
The first batch of books were cleaned. They were placed in a 25’ x 80’ room with a hydroxyl that gives off ULV light. This removes the smoke smell. About 1,000 books can be done at a time. So far, the results seem very positive for the first batch so if this stays true, the books can go through this process and won’t have to be replaced.
Next week the shelves will be removed for cleaning and by the end of the week the building will be nearly empty.
LOCAL HISTORY ROOM
There are pictures below to show that the Local History Room is in good shape. The carpet will have to be removed, but everything else is fine.
Continued thanks for all the support.

Friday Update from the Library Director

Friday Update from Donna Dunlop:  The collection should be out of the building by the end of the day.  As Neal Cass reported, the first batch of books that were run through the hydroxyl chamber (see image) have come through free of smoke odor.  This is a heartening finding.  We'll be taking things step by step.  This is a labor intensive process.  Each book is actually wiped down by hand and then is left in the chamber overnight.  The process will take many weeks.  ServPro staff have been working diligently and we thank them sincerely.

Thursday 8/9 update

BOOKS
You can see in the photos that books are being removed. There are over 40,000 items that are being boxed and moved to be cleaned.
CHECKING FOR MOISTURE
The baseboards have been removed and the walls are being analyzed to determine what rehabilitation has to be done.
AREA LIBRARIES AVAILABLE - just show library card or proof of residency. Click here for more info.
ONLINE RESOURCES
All online resources are still available. Check out the library's Online Resources page.
Interlibrary loan is still available - email us or fill out this form.



FOR HELP
For help with online resources or any library question
call 746-3663 or
email info@hopkintontownlibrary.org
Staff is available 9-5 Tuesday-Friday at the lower level of the Slusser Center (41 Houston Dr., Contoocook).

Wednesday update

WEDNESDAY LIBRARY UPDATE
BOOKS BEING MOVED
The photo below is the first of the books being moved out to a clean location. A section of them will be cleaned and then it will be determined if some or all will be cleaned or replaced.

NEIGHBORING LIBRARIES PROVIDING SERVICE
Follow this link for all the information on the services being offered by neighboring libraries to Hopkinton library patrons:
http://htlnews.blogspot.com/2018/08/neighboring-libraries-providing.html
CONTRACTORS PREPARING ESTIMATES
Contractors were in yesterday and will be preparing estimates to repair the damage. Quotes will be compared after they are received.
LIBRARY OFFICE
So, the office is set up at the Slusser Center, internet and phone service is up and running.
Continued thank you for all the support!

Latest update 8/7/18

Thank you to our wonderful town administrator Neal Cass for posting these updates.

TUESDAY MORNING LIBRARY FIRE UPDATE
The library may be closed, but lots is happening. Library staff has been very busy dealing with all the issues associated with the fire. Here is an update:

BOOKS
There was some good news yesterday concerning all the books. They may not be a total loss. For the most part there was no water damage to the books, but smoke damage. The “book expert” was in yesterday and the plan is to remove all the books this week and take them to ServePro’s warehouse in Bow. It will help to get them out of the smoky library building. A section of books will be cleaned and then it will be determined if the smell is out and the books can be retained. Based on this work, the determination on the rest of the books will be made.
COMMUNITY ROOM
Some more good news. It looks like the Community Room can be cleaned over the next couple of weeks and then can reopen. Once cleaned and cleared for use, programs will continue there even though the rest of the library will remain closed.
LIBRARY OFFICE
An office for library staff has been set up in the lower level of the Slusser Center. The server and Donna and Karen’s workstation are usable. We expect that final internet connections and phone service will be up and running today.
INSURANCE
We have replacement value insurance. Minus the $1,000 deductible our insurance will return the library to the way it was. There seems to be some confusion around this and the ability to donate. Insurance will cover the replacement costs, but our experience is that there are always additional costs associated with a fire like this. Many have already donated. Thank you! If you wish to donate you can make check payable to: Hopkinton Library Foundation, PO Box 217, Contoocook, NH 03229.
VIETNAM MOVIE
The Vietnam Movie and presentation scheduled for Thursday will take place at the Town Hall, (330 Main St., Hopkinton) at 7:00 p.m.
RETURNING LIBRARY MATERIALS
All library materials (books, DVDs, etc…) can be returned to the book drop at the Town Hall. Please do not return them to the actual library. You don’ have to call to renew if you wish to keep them beyond the due date, but just return them when you are finished.
Thank you for all the support has been given. We’ll continue to update you as more information is available.

Latest news on the Library fire

LIBRARY FIRE UPDATE
Here is an update on the library fire as of today.
PLEASE DO NOT GO TO THE LIBRARY

LIBRARY CLOSED
The library is closed until further notice. We are pretty certain at this point that the length of time closed will be measured in months. We appreciate those that want to help, and we will call on volunteers when needed, but for safety purposes and so contactors can work DO NOT GO TO THE LIBRARY! Please and thank you!
RETURNING BOOKS
Library books can be returned to the book drop at the Town Hall (330 Main St., Hopkinton). They can not be returned at the actual library, even to the book drop there. We don’t want more books damaged.
THE BOOKS
An expert will be looking at all the books to determine if they can be cleaned or will have to be replaced. The books for the most part did not receive water damage, but all books did receive smoke damage.
LIBRARY OFFICE
We are working to set up a temporary office for library staff to manage all the things that are happening. We will let you know when all the details are in place.
INSURANCE ADJUSTOR
The insurance adjustor was at the library and will be working with the library this coming week determining what work needs to be done to the building, what needs to be cleaned, and what will need to be removed.
DONATIONS
The Town does have insurance, but there will likely be additional costs beyond the insurance payment. If you wish to donate, mail a check to Hopkinton Library Foundation, PO Box 217, Contoocook, NH 03229.
OTHER TOWNS REACH OUT
Several area town libraries have reached out to offer the use of their libraries by Hopkinton library patrons. As these details are worked out you will be updated. We truly appreciate their support.