Public Library Under Two Feet of Water

UPDATED 1 p.m. --

The Winnetka branch library is closed Saturday and Sunday due to major flooding in its lower floor.

"Staff work areas, computers and some equipment were damaged," said Erin Maassen, the PR and marketing specialist for the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District. No library materials were destroyed, however.

UPDATED 12 p.m. --

Winnetka's branch library, at 768 Oak Street, is closed on Saturday after its basement flooded overnight.

According to Erin Maassen, the PR and marketing specialist for the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District, the damage to the library is "extensive."

Parts of Winnetka, Glencoe and Northfield are flooded - and many main streets are impassable - due to the four inches of rain that fell between 11:30 p.m. on Friday and 2:30 a.m. on Saturday.

"The two feet of water is in the basement, where all our staff offices are, after a basement door blew open in the middle of the night," she said.

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"A lot of servers, desk computers and staff offices have been damaged," said Maassen. She said that she is not sure about the status of magazine and newspaper archives, which are stored in the basement, but she anticipates issues.

The library has hired a professional crew to clean up the flood damage, and encourages residents to visit the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District website for status updates and news. 

"Several neighbors have been so nice, offering help, but we want professionals to do the job," said Maassen.

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