A Library in Dire Need: My Anniversary Cause

Published September 4, 2011 | By Abigail Reynolds (I have shamelessly taken this post from http://austenauthors.net to allow others to speak to the cause that Abigail Reynolds has brought to our attention.)

Mr. Bennet was glad to take his guest into the drawing-room again, and when tea was over, glad to invite him to read aloud to the ladies. Mr. Collins readily assented, and a book was produced; but on beholding it (for every thing announced it to be from a circulating library), he started back, and begging pardon, protested that he never read novels.

Mr. Collins may never have read novels from a circulating library, but we know that Jane Austen did. Given the price of books at the time, it was a necessity for most readers. Our own Abigail Reynolds grew up in a small town in upstate New York where the public library was her lifeline. She states, “The first copy of Pride & Prejudice I read came from the public library. That’s why it broke my heart last week when I read the information below in The Daily Gazette.”

At the Schoharie Free Library, Director Cathy Caiazzo started sifting through the thousands of ruined books in the collection. More than 26 inches of water covered the first floor of the Victorian structure on the corner of Knower Avenue.

Books, computers, and paper records were all badly damaged. The shed containing books to be sold at an upcoming sale was lifted from its footings and carried several blocks away.

“I think that might be it,” she said, squinting at the small yellow building barely visible in the distance.

Only the library’s collection of non-fiction books — stored in the second floor — was unscathed.

Yesterday I got this email from the librarian there:

Abigail,

Thank you so much for spreading the word about us! The library’s mailing address is PO Box 519, Schoharie, NY 12157-0519. The village’s mail is currently being diverted, but it will arrive eventually (I’m sure the bills will!).

The library’s website is http://www.schoharielibrary.org and there’s a link to photos on Flikr there also.

I have a shirt that says “Libraries are the *heart* of every community” and I’m realizing now how right it is.

Stay in touch,

Cathy Caiazzo

Last night Abigail Reynolds posted on Facebook about the library’s situation, and the response was heartwarming. People have been asking how they can best help. The library will need books, but probably doesn’t have much space to put them yet. In the meantime, people can send checks or gift certificates from Amazon, B&N, or IndieBound. For people who would like to support them through a local independent bookstore, Reynolds suggests calling the Open Door Bookstore (518-346-2719) in nearby Schenectady and ask for a gift certificate for the Schoharie Free Library. We will post updates about the library and how to help as we receive more information. Our deepest thanks goes to everyone who can help and/or repost the information to reach more people. Let’s make sure the people in this devastated area at least have books in which they can escape from their struggles. Jane Austen would be proud!