Pocono News Section

Pittston Memorial Library back on track

Pittston Memorial Library back on track - Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 6:20PM EST

Wednesday, Nov 28, 2007 @06:20pm EST

Flood waters rocked the Pittston memorial library a year ago.

But a 36-thousand dollar federal grant helped in the re-building process.

Director Melissa Szafran Jones says the Pittston memorial library is getting back to normal.

"we went from looking like a warzone to finally looking like a library," says Jones.

Federal funding helped fix the libraries parking lot.

A far cry from what it looked like last November.

Flood water destroyed a culvert under the parking lot, sending 5 feet of flood water rushing through the library basement.

Jones says, "it's been an up and down roller coaster ride for us this last year. But it's nice to know we'll finally get back to normal."

Books, dvd's, and children's programs were destroyed by the water.

Jones hopes to build it back like new.

A FEMA grant will help do that, and that's good news to library goers like Charlotte Para.

"it's very important because then as we get more popular we'll have more poeple joining as friends and they'll be more people doing things," says Para.

A new computer room, and kids room have been built since the flooding.

Kids programs, serving nearly 60 children a day, will start back up next spring.

Jones hopes to rennovate the basement and replace destroyed books by next summer.

If you want to check out the new look Pittston memorial library.

Check out its open house.

Pittston memorial library will have an open house Saturday, December 8 from

9:30am to 3:30pm

Refreshments will be provided.