Findlay Hancock Library..."A River Runs Through it"

          In June (2011) I spent three days doing research at the wonderful Findlay Hancock Public library in Findlay, Ohio.  Findlay is located along I-75 about 40 miles south of Toledo on the banks of the Blanchard River. At one time the Blanchard River did flow through the library. No it was not a lovely landscaping trick, it was a 100 year flood.

During an extensive tour of the library I saw this reminder of the flood on a wall in the lower level of the library.  I cannot imagine the problems a flood would cause in a library especially with a lot of the computer servers and other computerized equipment which was housed in this lower level.  There was so much damage it took about 4 months before the library could re-open in December.
    The sign (left) showing the high water mark in the library is also seen in the picture below to show how deep the water was.
   

       When the water is higher than the top of the doorway, you know you have a serious problem.
      During the cleanup and repair they made several changes. The technology is no longer on the lower level. They also put everything on wheels. In the event of another flood they can at least move things quickly to a higher level.
       The library collected pictures and news accounts of this flood in a scrap book. See some pictures of the damage below.






















I can imagine anyone who loves libraries and especially librarians must just groan when they think of having 6 feet of water flood their library. Can you visualize the mess and loss of stored items and technology!
   

But as bad as it was they went to work and today the only signs of a flood are the reminders and some flood damage prevention items.















     The Findlay Hancock Library is now a lovely, spacious working library.  The emphasis is on all three words. lovely in that it is well designed and attractively appointed with artwork,  and eye catching displays.
     This library is spacious.  I must have walked over a mile during the tour, When I thought there was no more to see,  Sarah, a library administrator,   would take us to a whole new part of the library I had not expected would be there.
      Oh, I should share some of that tour with you.  If you are in the Findlay area and want to visit this library just go downtown and find the court house. The library is just a block or so from the court house. Click on  http://www.findlaylibrary.org/directions.htm
where you will find 7 different sets of directions to cover every possible way into Findlay   Or set your GPS to 206 Broadway, Findlay, OH.
       Below is a picture from their website showing the present front of the building.  But we will start our tour at the back.

      I have only been in a few libraries where they have such convenient parking.  They have a parking ramp built right under the library.  While modest in size I never had trouble finding a place to park.
     

From the parking garage you walk through this doorway. When I first arrived I was puzzled by a door that looked like a ships watertight  door in a bulkhead.  When I learned about the flood I realized this was one of the preventive measures they had taken to protect the library in the future.  The hallway you can see through the door slants down to the lower level of the library probably 4 or 5 feet lower than the parking garage.

Once in the lower level you see the Friends of the Library room straight ahead. What a wonderful collection they have. I found several books here I had been looking for and at a great price. See the books for sale in the racks below on the right

     The nice lady pictured below is one of the volunteers that helps out in the Friends book sale area. She tolerated my nonsense pretty well.  She looks like she has learned to deal with guys like me and indeed did an excellent job of handling my silliness. She was a lot of fun.

As long as we are on the lower level I should show you a picture of the staff "break" room. See all the microwaves, toasters and assorted appliances on the counter. Then under the counter in the middle of the picture is a dishwasher.  On the right of the picture is the end of a long line of tables.  Also notice that everything is up on wheels. If the Blanchard ever comes to pay another visit they can just roll everything to higher ground.

Findlay Hancock Public Library is also a sorting center for inter library loans. These "odd" book shelves are where books that are being loaned to various libraries are processed and piled ready for shipment.  Note the wheels.

 

Before we head upstairs I should show you where they keep the book mobile when it isn't on the road. I have forgotten how many small communities this book mobile serves but was impressed that the drivers know the people in the small communities and load up the media that is most popular in the community where they are going, along with individual requests.

Inside the bookmobile is a wide variety of media and titles.  This only shows one side. The other side is also well stocked with media and books. Of all the libraries i have visited i think this is the first time I ever was shown the inside of a bookmobile.






Next week we will look at the upstairs main floor of the library and see even more of the wide range of services this library has to offer.  Findlay is very fortunate to have this well administered and very useful library.
     Again thank you for your interest and please send me any comments. Feedback is very useful to know if I am presenting something useful and/or interesting.
     Please take a moment to drop me an email at davidwiseley@gmail.com   Thanks