The library branch at G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre is being stripped to deal with water damage from last week’s flood.
Daphne Wood, spokeswoman for the Greater Victoria Public Library, said all contents of the branch are being removed, including shelves, books, computers and furniture. Books have been sent to storage, while the carpet, drywall and much of the furniture, shelves and equipment will likely be replaced.
“We are still just at the start of assessing everything,” said Wood.
The Saanich Centennial Branch flooded Friday when a water pipe inside concrete burst and water flowed into a utility room serving the recreation centre.
Water moved to another room, then into a library bathroom, where it filled the space to a depth of a metre.
When a Pearkes worker opened the bathroom door, the water rushed into the library and the main entranceway of the arena.
The Saanich Archives was also flooded and forced to close. A few artifacts were touched by water, but a Saanich recreation manager said the majority was moved to a storage space.
Wood said library staff are looking for any long-term damage to the branch’s collection, about 60,000 books.
She said all books appeared to have escaped contact with the water because the height of shelves kept them clear, but humidity is always a hazard for paper materials. Although fans were quickly brought in, some Centennial Branch books may no longer be usable.
Wood said events and bookings at the Saanich Centennial branch have been cancelled or moved to other branches.
The library system is especially anxious to see medals awarded to the 800-odd young people enrolled in the summer reading club at Saanich Centennial, she said.
Every year, the library system hosts the summer reading club, where kids agree to read a minimum of 20 minutes per day. If they stay on track, they earn a medal. This year, more than 8,400 young people signed up systemwide.
“We are really proud of their accomplishment and the summer reading club is a central piece of what we do,” said Woods.
“The summer reading club is very important for the Greater Victoria Public Library and we know it’s very important for the young people and their families.”
