Residents affected by the recent flooding can apply for assistance by visiting www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). In order to be eligible, residents will need to provide the following:

• Your Social Security number
• Current and pre-disaster address
• A telephone number where you can be contacted
• Insurance information
• Total household annual income
• A routing and account number from your bank (only necessary if you want to have disaster assistance funds transferred directly into your bank account)
• A description of your losses that were caused by the disaster

Note: Even if you have already submitted your damage information to the Village, you must apply directly with FEMA in order to be considered for federal assistance.

For additional information regarding the FEMA process within DuPage County, please visit www.protectdupage.org

What happened and why is there damage on the 1st floor?

We had approximately 4.5 feet of flood water in the subbasement mechanical room. The water arrived as the motors on both sump pumps burned out. The sewage pumps in the basement struggled to pump  water until the motors on both pumps burned out. Water also accumulated on the northside of the building and poured into the air intake well. The water rose past the thresholds of the emergency doors and entered under two of the three doors on the northside of the building. Additionally, the sewer backed up through the floor drains and toilets in some areas of the first floor. Village stormwater and sewer systems were full. We simply received too much water too quickly for systems to handle.

Will insurance cover the costs of cleanup and repair?

The Library does have flood and sewer backup coverage that will assist in paying for the cleanup and repairs necessary. We have also applied for IEMA Disaster funds. Any remaining expenses will be paid using special reserve maintenance and repair funds held by the Library.

Was Library material damaged or lost?

No Library materials were damaged or lost during the flood. Friends of the Glen Ellyn Public Library materials in the basement were also spared.

When will restoration be completed?

The elevators, plumbing, electrical systems and fire panel are all in working order. The heating system still requires work and it may take several weeks before those repairs are completed. The Library Board met on Monday, April 29th to discuss the best way to proceed with restoration of drywall, insulation, carpet, etc. in both the basement and the 1st floor areas. The basement drywall and insulation will be restored soon. The Board will hold another Special Meeting on May 14th to further discuss the best way to proceed with 1st floor restorations.

What will be done to prevent this from happening again?

Several ideas are being investigated, possibly a retaining wall around the air intake grate, additional pumping capability, drainage from the north side of the building to the parking lot. First we need to finish restoration then we can look at future prevention.

If you have other questions, please contact Library Director, Dawn Bussey at 630-790-6760 or dbussey@gepl.org

Come celebrate our reopening by attending our Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War Exhibit opening gala from 1:30-4:00pm where you can watch Lincoln deliver his historic inaugural address, take a picture with the 16^th President, learn about the Glen Ellyn community’s involvement in the Underground Railroad and much more.

The library will continue offering curbside service until 5pm tonight and from 9am to 5pm Friday, April 26.  If you need to return a book, pick up a hold, or check out a book visit the curbside service area near the library’s front entrance.

So far, our curbside service has been very popular. Yesterday library members returned 799 items and checked-out 360 items. If there is anything you need from our library, please stop by and visit us!

The library remains closed. The bookdrop is open for returning library materials, we ask that you do not donate items at this time.

We continue to provide limited curbside service from 9am to 5pm. During that time you may pick up held materials. As usual, we are happy to pull materials off our shelves for you. Please call ahead and we will have them waiting.

Don’t forget, our entire catalog, digital downloads, and our 24/7 online research tools are available to you here on our website.

We appreciate your understanding and patience.

The bookdrop is open for returning library materials, we ask that you do not donate items at this time.

We are providing limited curbside service from 9am to 5pm. During that time you may pick up held materials. As usual, we are happy to pull materials off our shelves for you. Please call ahead and we will have them waiting.

We appreciate your understanding and patience during our recovery process.

Flooded Subbasement

We have been closed since last Thursday, April 18, and all public events have been canceled for the time being. No fines will accrue on the days we are closed and any available hold items will be held for four days when the library reopens.

The bookdrop is open for returning materials, and we will provide limited curbside service from 9am to 5pm. During that time you may pick up held materials. As usual, we are happy to pull materials off our shelves for you. Please call ahead and we will have them waiting.

Don’t forget, our entire catalog, digital downloads, and our 24/7 online research tools are available to you here on our website.

Thanks to the hard work by our staff and service providers, we hope to be able to reopen soon. We appreciate your understanding and patience during our recovery process.

Please check back for reopening updates.

Dr. Manning has a strong passion for astronomy and promises to expertly guide patrons of all ages on an educational and entertaining exploration of the universe, the stars and other celestial wonders during Astronomy for Everyone.

Attendees will learn about the size of the universe, the properties of the stars, and other celestial wonders during Dr. Manning’s interactive, family-friendly presentation.

You can register for Dr. Manning’s presentation by clicking here.

Be sure to stop by the Friends of the Library’s Spring Used Book Sale this weekend and find some amazing books!