Flooded, but not flustered
A very frustrating day for all of us at the Library, after water started streaming into the office from the floors above.
Rapidly filling basins in the worst affected areas of the office
Although the library’s main collection was not affected, we had to work quickly to move GWL’s own archive materials, as well as work files and all our computer equipment, out of the office. Thanks to Hannah’s emergency planning, we were all ready to work together and quickly clear the affected areas.
Buckets and basins set out in the GWL office to catch the leaks
After having to close the Library last Friday due to the cold, the thaw has proved to be equally ‘adverse’. Pipes on the floors above, and across the entire block, froze during the cold snap, and caused flooding after this morning’s thaw. It’s not clear when the flooding at 81 Parnie Street started – unfortunately, it wasn’t until water was already pouring into our office that the pipes were disconnected from the mains. Ironically, Library staff had been in the Library over the holiday period in order to check that our own pipes had not frozen.
Buckets and basins, and plastic sheeting over the furniture
Those of you who are long time supporters of the Library may feel a sense of deja vu about all this: towards the end of our time at 109 Trongate, the rickety old building was constantly letting in water, and buckets and umbrellas were a common sight. The cause of today’s flooding should be a one off, but it highlights just how urgently our planned relocation to new premises in the Mitchell Library is needed.
A particularly surreal moment at our old premises at 109 Trongate, with golf umbrellas set up to keep drips off the photocopier
Our old building at 109 Trongate is now part of the recently opened, fully renovated 103 Trongate: Today’s flood has made us all determined to raise the funds to ensure that we can move into a fully fit-for-purpose (climate controlled, waterproof…) space.
It’s not clear how long it will take us to clear up the office and get up and running again – our priority at the moment is to ensure that both the affected materials and the office itself are properly dried out. Please check the website & blog for updates: We may have limited access to our phone and individual staff emails, so the first point of contact will be this website and our main email address: info@womenslibrary.org.uk.
Update: Progress in the Library – Re-wired and de-humidified.
January 11th, 2010 at 10:30pm
[...] More about the flooding [...]
January 12th, 2010 at 1:02pm
So sorry to read this and hope all is well as it can be!
January 12th, 2010 at 4:00pm
I am so sorry for everyone – you work so hard to keep everything going and to keep things safe – it’s terrible that this happened but thank goodness everyone and everything (almost) is safe.
January 12th, 2010 at 5:59pm
What a shame – well done though for Hannah’s strategy.Let me know if I can help out in any way girls.
January 12th, 2010 at 6:11pm
I am so sorry to see this news. Hope you are all keeping strong, I feel absolutely gutted for you all. Terrible start to the year, but surely it can only get a lot better. Hope accrediation stuff was not affected and fingers crossed for all your hard work paying off with it.
January 12th, 2010 at 6:24pm
Oh no, what an unbelievable pain! Hope things are beginning to dry out.
January 13th, 2010 at 1:18am
Terrible news! Hope it all works (and dries) out for you. Sympathies from us London Women’s Library folk
x
January 13th, 2010 at 4:49pm
Argh! So unfair when you had been diligently looking out for your neighbours! Best of luck cleaning up the mess, relieved to hear problem’s confined to office although that’s bad enough. Please let me know if you need volunteers to help with anything.
January 13th, 2010 at 7:30pm
I’m very sorry indeed to hear about the flooding, frustrating indeed given your foresigt, and hope wish you all the best for getting up and running again.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:05pm
Heartbreaking news. Thinking of you and wishing I could be with you. Hope plenty of help and support is on hand and will keep checking the website for news. Love and huge hugs xxxxxxxxx
January 14th, 2010 at 9:23am
Will I get into trouble for being slightly more upbeat and remarking “Ah, brings me back”…
You know, waterproofs really should be issed as part of the staff uniform!
January 14th, 2010 at 12:33pm
Good work Hannah. Keep your spirits up!
January 14th, 2010 at 6:57pm
Apart from the extra work and stress for already stretched staff, this flood must be putting an extra strain on GWL’s finances so I’m posting a donation to assist with costs. Maybe others would like do the same?
January 21st, 2010 at 4:20pm
[...] GWL has suffered a major flood – and although they’ve managed to save and protect the materials it makes it even more important that are able to make the move to the Mitchell: On the LiBlog they say “Today’s flood has made us all determined to raise the funds to ensure that we can move into a fully fit-for-purpose (climate controlled, waterproof…) space.” To read more and find out how to help go to http://blog.womenslibrary.org.uk/2010/01/11/flooded-not-flustered/ [...]