by kmessner

Rebuilding an Adirondack Library: Update & Request for donations

First of all, a huge thank you to EVERYONE who responded to my blog post yesterday about the Wells Memorial Library in Upper Jay, NY.

The library lost virtually its entire children’s section in flooding during Hurricane Irene. You can read more – and see some pictures that will break your heart if you love books – here.

There’s also a lot of information about how to help, including a partnership with terrific indie booksellers at The Bookstore Plus. If you call them at 518-523-2950 or visit their website, you can choose a book to donate to the library, and the bookstore will store it for them until they’re ready.  Or you can donate to a gift card for the library so librarians can choose books later on.  The response, so far, has been amazing, and I’m told the bookstore has more than $700 on that gift card right now. What a great start!

I’m working with Sarah at The Bookstore Plus now on what I hope will be a huge fundraiser for the library.  On October 22nd, they’re going to host an evening reception where book lovers of all ages and members of Lake Placid’s vibrant arts community can come purchase books for the library.  It’ll include author/illustrator appearances and (we hope) a silent auction of original art from children’s book illustrators. (I just  heard from a couple illustrators who have offered to donate, so it looks like this part of the fund raiser is a go!)

If you’re a children’s book illustrator who would like to donate a piece to help this library rebuild after Hurricane Irene, would you please touch base with me, either in a comment or via Facebook or email (kmessner at kate messner dot com) to let me know?  I told the bookstore I’d coordinate, so I’ll take your information, pass it along to Sarah, and then the art can be sent directly to the bookstore. They’ll will use the pieces in a big window display before the auction and then all proceeds will be donated directly to the library.

I understand that this is asking a lot…and I’m sure you get many requests each year and have to pick and choose which efforts to support, if you donate art at all. But I thought I’d put the word out, just in case this is a cause that you’d like to get behind. It would be much appreciated by the librarians and the families of this community.

Authors: If you’d like to donate a signed book, that would also be most welcome!  Please mark clearly on the envelope “FOR SILENT AUCTION”

Here’s the bookstore address:

The Bookstore Plus
2491 Main St
Lake Placid, NY 12946
Thanks!!

39 Replies on “Rebuilding an Adirondack Library: Update & Request for donations”

  1. Kate–you are wonderful for coordinating all this! If they decide to add autographed books to the silent auction, let me know; I’d be happy to donate a signed copy of THE QUIET BOOK.

    1. I’m checking with the bookstore to be sure, but my guess is yes. Will update with that information when I hear back. Thanks, Deborah!

    2. Just heard back from the bookstore, Deborah, and the answer is a resounding YES! You can send the signed book here:

      The Bookstore Plus
      2491 Main St
      Lake Placid, NY 12946

      Please be sure to mark the envelope “SILENT AUCTION DONATION” Thanks!!

  2. Just a quick correction for the phone number to The Bookstore Plus 518-523-2950. The outpouring of support has been WONDERFUL! Thank you to all for all your efforts!

  3. Hi Kate,
    How tragic, to lose so much of their collection. I became aware of this through your tweets, Kate. I’m sending a signed copy of my book, Lost on Brier Island, in the mail (it’s a YA novel just release in the US today). Hope it helps in some small way. All the best in your efforts! 🙂
    Jo Ann Yhard

    1. A set of signed books for the silent auction would be fantastic – the library itself has asked me to try and slow the flood of actual book donations for space/storage reasons and instead encourage people to go through the Bookstore Plus donation program so the store can keep books until the library’s ready. Books for the auction can be sent here:
      The Bookstore Plus
      2491 Main St
      Lake Placid, NY 12946
      Please label the envelope: DONATION FOR SILENT AUCTION

      Thanks!!!

  7. My mom, Jane Yolen, and I are putting together a box of our children’s books to send to the library. My mom is away right now, but, I will make sure to send an autographed book for the auction when she returns early October. We urge everyone in the children’s book community to donate as well.

    Heidi Stemple, author

      1. Kate, Heidi’s post was a delight to read!. It reconnected me with Jane and the Stemples from when I lived in Conway, MA, and we were friends.
        Thanks for doing what you’re doing…a monumental task and gift. Bless you!
        Jeri

  8. Hi Kate,

    Thank you for all of your good work with this project. For those of us who live far away, but would be interested in bidding in the silent auction, will it be put online?

    Kind Regards,

    Jennifer

  9. I have some original artwork from my children’s books that I’d be happy to donate. I also work at Blue Sky Animation Studios, where a number of the artists are also children’s book illustrators. I will ask around to see if anyone else is willing to donate original artwork or signed books. Please let me know if you need anything else.

    1. That would be great, Robert – thanks so much! Please send art to:

      The Bookstore Plus
      2491 Main St
      Lake Placid, NY 12946

      Please be sure to mark the envelope “SILENT AUCTION DONATION” Thanks!!

      ~Kate

  10. Hi Kate-You and the bookstore are doing great. I’ve been talking with Cerise about coordinating our efforts. This is a copy of a news release we sent out yesterday FYI, not for your blog. (I can’t seem to get through on your email.) If you want to put anything on that we are getting donations from visitors off the street, that would be fine. Thanks, Lisa
    Release from the Lake Placid Library
    For more information contact Lisa Forrest at 523.3200
    Note to editors: We are trying to help all libraries affected by the floods. Surprisingly, the Keene Library has reported to the Clinton Essex Franklin Library System that it came through pretty much unscathed and Willsboro had a flood in its basement, but no real damage. If you hear of any other libraries that need help we would appreciate hearing. THANK YOU.

    A sign saying, “HELP! Donate to help kick Irene out of the Upper Jay Library,” now adorns a collection box at the Lake Placid Public Library. The LP facility has embarked on a fund raising project to help the Wells Memorial Library in Upper Jay which sustained heavy damages in Sunday’s floods. Besides collecting donations, the library will be giving all proceeds from its book sales for the month of September.
    The AuSable River invaded the Upper Jay facility during Tropical Storm Irene, filling the basement and destroying the children’s collection located on the first floor, which was stored on the lower shelves. Workers and volunteers have been trying to save archival materials, to empty the library of ruined volumes and to shovel mud.
    “It’s heartbreaking to see the pictures of that library,” said Lake Placid Library Board of Trustees President, Beverley Reid. She said that the library board would be adding money to that raised through book sales and donations. “They are going to be facing a lot of expenses fixing that beautiful building and what they are going to need for that is cash. This is a great way for the people of North Elba and the surrounding area to show our neighbors that we care.”
    All proceeds from the Lake Placid Public Library will be given directly to the Wells Library. Children’s books in good condition will also be accepted on behalf of Upper Jay.
    Adirondack author Kate Messner has been sending out appeals on a blog attached to her website katemessner.com and is unofficially coordinating efforts with the Bookstore Plus in Lake Placid to replace books
    Anyone wishing more information or to help may contact the library at 518.523.3200.

    1. That would be absolutely great – thank you so much! You can send your silent auction donation here:

      The Bookstore Plus
      2491 Main St
      Lake Placid, NY 12946

      Please be sure to mark the envelope “SILENT AUCTION DONATION” Thanks!! And I’ll share much more about the event as it develops.

      ~Kate

    1. That would be absolutely great – thank you so much, Sally! You can send your silent auction donation here:

      The Bookstore Plus
      2491 Main St
      Lake Placid, NY 12946

      Please be sure to mark the envelope “SILENT AUCTION DONATION” Thanks!!

      ~Kate

    1. I think the silent auction is going to be an in-person event only at this reception, but maybe we could find a way to do something online as well – I will let you know!

    1. Hi, Steve! That would be absolutely great – thank you so much! You can send your silent auction donation here:

      The Bookstore Plus
      2491 Main St
      Lake Placid, NY 12946

      Please be sure to mark the envelope “SILENT AUCTION DONATION” Thanks!!

      ~Kate

  15. Kate; I’ve selected some books (16) from my grandchildren’s library and have them ready to send to the library. Some are 1st editions, signed by author and/or illustrator. I was going to add a suggestion to possibly auction the signed ones but after reading your tweet this morning they beat me to it. So where would be the best place to send these books. The bookstore or Library? 6 are signed.

    Sherry

    1. Hi, Sherry! I would say if the books aren’t personalized and have only the signatures, those might do the most good at the auction (and so you’d send to the bookstore). Otherwise, I’d say just send them all to the library – those being sent directly to the library would be best sent in a few weeks rather than right now, due to their space issues. Thank you!

    1. If they’re for the silent auction, please send directly to The Bookstore Plus – 2491 Main St Lake Placid, NY 12946

      Thanks so much, Patti!

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  19. Hi Kate,
    So sorry to hear about the damage to the library…my husband and I fly-fished the Ausable River in NY many times…but Mother Nature can be cruel!
    My book for parents of preschoolers summarizes 100 picture books every young child should hear and then provides a craft and cooking activity for each title…if that is something the library would want, I’d be happy to donte a signed copy for the auction and also a copy for the library shelves. What do you think?
    One person CAN make a difference…and you are definitely that one person in this situation! Kudos to you!

    1. I’m sure the library would love this – and they’re okay to accept book donations now, since they’ve had an offer of nearby storage space. Thanks!