The RIHS Library experienced a water event on December 17, 2013.
The library is now open our regular hours.
Here are some images of the damage to our Reading Room:
One of the disaster kits stationed throughout the Library. These were heavily used during the event.
View of the Reference Desk area; the Special Collections table is behind the plastic humidity wall. (December 2013)
View of the back of the Reading Room showing the exhaust tube for humid air. Some of the damaged carpet has already been removed. (December 2013)
View of the damaged carpet and the humidity wall in the Reading Room. (December 2013)
View of the back of the Reading Room showing conditions inside the humidity wall and the damage to the false chimney piece above fireplace. (The clock is safe!) (December 2013)
View of the wall to the left of the Reading Room fireplace. The damaged bookcase has been pulled away, revealing the wall and radiator. (December 2013)
View showing a damaged bookcase and affected ceiling in the rear of the Reading Room, behind the humidity wall. (December 2013)
View of the unaffected books, removed from affected bookcases. Reading Room chairs are stacked up down the next aisle. (December 2013)
Overview of the Reading Room showing current conditions, February 2014. The humidity wall has come down, the ceiling has been repainted, and ceiling tile replaced.
View of the Special Collections Table Area, protected by plastic during painting and ceiling tile replacement. (February 2014)
View of Aisle 2/3 and the Special Collections Table. (February 2014)
View of the back of the Reading Room, after ceiling tile replacement, but before removal of the staging and boxes. The floor must still be replaced, and that work will take additional time. (February 2014)
View of the Reading Room after removal of desks, tables and chairs (March 2014)
Back of the Reading Room with tables and chairs removed. (March 2014)
Packing out begins. (March 24, 2014. )
Packing in process. (March 24, 2014)
Card catalog drawers being packed for transport. (March 24, 2014)
Books boxed by range and ready for loading. ( March 27, 2014)
Boxes of books and card catalog drawers reading for loading. (March 27, 2014)
Even the card catalogs are going! Drawers removed have been packed. ( March 27, 2014)
Every box is labeled with Range, Case and shelf number and final book call number. All the books must be kept in order. (March 24, 2014)
Packed books in the warehouse. These pallets will be joined by many more. (March 26, 2014)
Bookcase removal began April 2, 2014
Men used 2×4 levers and strength. (April 2, 2014)
Half the room is completely empty! (April 2, 2014)
All bookcases now on the north side of the room, ready for floor work. (April 2, 2014)
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We will not sell, share, or trade our donors’ names or personal information with any other entity. We will not send mailings to our donors on behalf of other organizations.
This policy applies to all information received by RIHS on any platform by any means, both online and offline, as well as any electronic, written, or oral communications.
To the extent any donations may be processed through a third-party service provider, our donors’ information will only be used for purposes necessary to process the donation.
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