Police are investigating the fire but have not yet labeled it a hate crime, CPL spokesperson Maggie Killackey told American Libraries. Firefighters were called to the scene, she said, but the library staff moved patrons to the first floor and extinguished the fire.
Although library officials had not yet tallied the value of the burned and water-damaged books, Killackey said that they would all be replaced. She also pointed out that since the story ran in the local newspapers, callers from all over the country are offering to help replace the collection, and the Chicago Public Library Foundation does accept monetary donations that can be directed to this specific collection.
Posted June 16, 2006.