When storms ravaged parts of Ohio during Memorial Day weekend, several libraries were forced to close their doors for a short time. Those facilities are back in operation. And many libraries are serving in relief efforts now.
The Ohio Library Council’s Michelle Francis says some libraries in Green, Montgomery and Mercer counties lost power or had minor damage and were forced to close but are back up and running now. And some libraries have become community relief centers.
“We have electricity so you can charge your phones. And then in areas that were not under a boil alert, which most of them weren’t, especially those in Green County and Mercer county, they had clean water so they could come in and serve as filling stations.”
Francis says the libraries have been offering phones, computers and wi-fi on site and in shelters, and adds some libraries have offered counseling. And she says libraries are collecting funds for storm victims and helping them apply for disaster assistance.
