Library back in business after a 20-day shutdown

Library bae^in business after a 20-day shutdown By ALLEN JONES ajones@hcnonline.com Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library is back in businesses after being closed due to water damage since Hurri¬ cane Ike hit the area on Sept. 13. The college is hosting a re¬ grand opening of the library Oct. 3. According to Ryan Carstens, Dean of Educational Services at the college, no books or comput¬ er equipment were damaged in the storm. Although classes at the college resumed Sept. 22, the library remained closed as wa¬ ter-soaked carpet was dried and treated. On Oct. 2, library staff moved items from N103, a temporary location set up during the li¬ brary’s closure, back to the li¬ brary. The temporary site had limited books and services. Public sendee hours returned to normal today. The library, lo- NOW OPEN Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library hours of operation: ■ Sunday, closed ■ Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ■ Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ■ Saturday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. cated at 30555 Tomball Pkwy., is a joined facility supported by the Harris County Library System and Lone Star College. This branch is a free wireless hotspot for those with laptop computers. Carstens said Mike Dannen- baum and his maintenance staff saved the facility from damage that could have been much See LIBRARY. Pano « LIBRARY visions, quick action, and Continued from Page 4A many hours ot hard work, he - said. worse if the crew had not inter He said college and HCPL vened during the week following staff were tlexible, hard working the hurricane. and creative in establishing the "I thank them for their smart limited services that could be supported in the temporarv lo¬ cation. "They consistently tried to stretch the limit to do as much as possible and minimize inconve¬ niences for those that they serve,’’ he said. “I appreciate their dedication and flexibility.” Carstens said Shannon Man- no and the student activities staff sacrificed their primary space in room N103 so the li¬ brary could provide limited ser¬ vices. "They adjusted their own ac¬ tivities into other areas on cam¬ pus during this time,” he said. “Their support has been criti¬ cal.” Bob Teague with the college’s Office of Technology Services, and his team helped set up the temporary operations and helped move technology back into the library. “They have also been working behind the scenes to identify and correct problems that may have developed with the library building's technology infras¬ tructure due to the flooding,” Carstens said. He also said he appreciates the patience and understanding faculty, staff and students dis¬ played during the library’s clo¬ sure.