Protecting Kalkaska’s Library

Photo credit: Kalkaska County Library

 

Image description: A person wearing a blue top and black pants stands smiling next to a blue book cart andf a brown book shelf stocked with books atr the Kalkaska County Library. 

 

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A flooded basement has been a perennial worry for years at the Kalkaska County Library.

I’ve been Director of the library since 2017, with two major flooding events, and a handful of more minor puddles, occurring in my time here. Not long before I arrived in Kalkaska there had been a rather severe incident that required carpeting and drywall removal. Like everyone else we welcome spring rains as a harbinger of flowers and warmer weather, but library staff have also learned to dread the heavier showers.  

In July 2021 a severe rainfall event left a quarter of the library’s basement under water. This was especially unfortunate because we had to close our children’s and teen areas during Summer Reading, the busiest time of year for youth library programming. And we knew that remediation costs would be significant.  

It came, then, as such a welcome surprise when the Community Foundation reached out to offer assistance. Not only did they pay for all the costs associated with the flood damage, but also funded a plan for improved rainfall management on the library’s property to avoid future flooding events. It’s no exaggeration to say that a strong Kalkaska is truly a Community Foundation priority. We’re so grateful for everything they’ve done for us.  

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Writer: John Roberts, Director of the Kalkaska County Library