New carpet tiles cover the floor of the Children’s Department of the C.H. Booth Library and ceiling tiles were being placed Tuesday, March 3, as the library moves toward a quick recovery from a second dousing in just over two years, from frozen and burst pipes.

Approximately 10,000 books of the 45,800 juvenile book collection were ruined when overhead pipes of the sprinkler system sent a shower of water over the rear section of the Children’s Department, Tuesday, February 17. Despite a swift response by firefighters and library staff members, nearly three inches of water covered the floor before the flooding was halted.

Unlike the January 2014 flood that affected both the main floor and the lower level of the library, and closed the building to the public for two months, the majority of the facility was able to reopen just two days later. Only the Children’s Department has been hampered by the damage, and that, said Library Director Brenda McKinley, has not been debilitating.

“Lana [Bennison, children’s librarian] has been able to hold all of the programming in other areas of the library,” she said. Only two programs were canceled on the day of the flood and the day after.

If weather does not interfere with the ability of restoration company J.P. Maguire to continue steady work, Ms McKinley is hopeful that the shelving and the salvaged books will be replaced in the department by the end of this week.

“We hope — and I say ‘hope’ — to be back in operation by Monday, March 9,” said Ms McKinley. Patrons may see gaps in the books lining the shelved, but a plan is in place to restore the collection, bit by bit. Insurance is expected to cover the cost of replacing and processing the new books.

“Nothing [lost to the flood] is completely irreplaceable. We will still have a great collection,” she said.

She is appreciative of the offers of donations the library has received since the flood.

“People are so generous,” she said.

Robert Geckle, president of the Board of Trustees of the C.H. Booth Library, has been overseeing the process.

“From it being as catastrophic as the last event,” he said, “this was disheartening, but far from that catastrophe.”

“We’re pretty confident,” Ms McKinley reiterated, “that we’ll reopen by Monday.” She urged patrons to continue to check the library’s website (www.chboothlibrary.org) for updates on children’s programs, or to call 203-426-4533 with any questions.