Arson is blamed in several fires that damaged more than 15,000 books and two staff work areas at the Springfield–Greene County (Mo.) Library District’s main branch early January 19.
Police suspect someone broke in through the facility’s drive-up window, doused several areas with gasoline, and then set the fires. While the automatic sprinkler system helped contain actual fire and smoke damage, water soaked thousands of books, ceiling tiles, and carpet, the Springfield News-Leader reported January 20.
“Someone must have had something against the library,” said Executive Director Annie Busch. “Unfortunately, a lot of people will suffer, not just [the library].”
Initial cleanup efforts sought to limit water and mildew damage with blowers and wet vacuums. According to the January 22 News-Leader, only books damaged by gasoline, smoke, or fire must be discarded; staff sent the remainder of the 15,338 affected books to storage in a refrigerated trailer with hopes of preserving them.
“There safely is a year’s worth of work lost here,” commented staffer Lynn Clark, whose cubicle was damaged. “It’s tougher too because most of it is the hard work of our employees, not just the books.”
Posted January 23, 2004.