A note from the Indiana State Library @ the Williamsport Public Library

October 18, 2006

The Wednesday Word: News from the Indiana State Library

WILLIAMSPORT-WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP PUBLIC LIBRARY FIRE

By Faye Terry (fterry@statelib.lib.in.us)

Around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, the Williamsport-Washington Township Public Library (WWTPL) caught on fire due to arson. The library, which was just built in 2002, was destroyed. An article published in The Commercial-News (Danville, IL) on October 13 reports that plans are already underway to find a temporary location for the library, and that Library Director Chris Brown plans to begin rebuilding as soon as possible (http://www.commercial-news.com/local/local_story_286213350.html). Many people in the library community have contacted the Indiana State Library's Library Development Office asking what they can do to help. Virtually the entire collection is gone, and Indiana libraries will be asked to help supplement the collection once a temporary site for WWTPL is decided upon.

In the meantime, monetary donations may be sent to The Williamsport-Washington Township Public Library Fund, Main Source Bank, 120 North Monroe Street, P.O. Box 201, Williamsport, IN 47993. Watch the INCOLSA-L and INPUBLIB listservs for announcements about the timeline for donating materials and lists of what will be needed. To support WWTPL during this trying time, the Indiana State Library has already provided laptop computers, a printer, T1 line funding for one year, and the balance of the Gates Foundation 50/50 grant so that a server or additional computers may be purchased. We look forward to working together with Indiana libraries and WWTPL staff in the months to come to ensure that the vibrant and essential public library services the community of Williamsport has enjoyed in the past are re-established. A photo gallery of the fire and the damage done has been updated today on The Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) Web site and can be accessed at http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/tngallery?Avis=BY&Dato=20061009&Kategori=NEWS&Lopenr=610090801&Ref=PH.

For more information about the Library, please visit us in downtown Indianapolis or online at www.statelib.lib.in.us.