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Damaged by the monster rainstorm that hit London last week, a London Public Library branch in the city’s northwest is reopening Tuesday in a temporary “pop-up” location.
The library’s Sherwood branch will offer limited services at the temporary location while the branch remains closed for repairs this week.
The branch has been closed since record-setting rainfall on July 15 that caused flooding in homes and businesses across London. The Sherwood Forest Mall, where the branch is located, was temporarily shut down following the storm.
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A spokesperson for the library said visitors will be able to make returns, pick up holds and borrow from a small collection of popular titles at the temporary location. Visitors who rely on the branch for access to Wi-Fi, computers and printing will be out of luck again this week, said Ellen Hobin, communications manager for London Public Library.
“It really is just a very small storefront that people can come in and out of to pick something up and drop off,” said Hobin, noting the branch’s regular programs have also been cancelled for the week.
The pop-up branch is located in an empty retail space in the mall near the branch’s permanent location.
Hundreds of London households were assessing damage and mopping up from the storm that dropped up to 75 milimetres of rain in two hours in the morning on July 15. The storm overwhelmed sewers, flooded low-lying areas and turned sections of some London streets into small rivers.
City hall reported more than 250 requests for service to help deal with the flooding. A property restoration company in London, First General, reported it fielded more than 90 insurance claims in less than 24 hours.
The London Public Library is still working out the final cost of the repairs to the Sherwood branch with its insurance company and the branch’s landlord.
Regular service at the Sherwood branch is expected to resume on July 30.
The temporary location will be open Tuesday to Saturday from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.
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