By Ed Gorman
The flood that decimated a good share of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has left the national news, even though many people are without their homes, some of them still sleeping in shelters.
The central library was a total loss, so much so that it will take at least two to three years before a new library can be built or remodeled. Think of this - between 200,000 and 300,000 books were lost forever. Several news services said that this was probably the greatest loss of books in our country's history.
I am asking for your help. While FEMA has promised money for the reconstruction, there is NO money available for replacing books. In order to raise money I hope all you who are able will send us signed copies of your books, manuscripts, DVDs that can be auctioned off or sold on the internet. Anything that you think might be of value to readers or collectors. Please sign things "For Cedar Rapids Library Flood Relief."
Mystery Cat Books of Cedar Rapids first proposed this idea and is willing to be the delivery site for anything you send. They will provide mylar covers and take care of anything that needs framing. Here is their address:
Mystery Cat Books
112 32nd St Dr SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
52403
319-363-2179
To give you some sense of scale our library carried an "A" rating and was the largest in the area. It is now operating out of two mall storefronts.
Thanks for taking the time of reading this. I hope you can help us out.
The flood that decimated a good share of Cedar Rapids, Iowa has left the national news, even though many people are without their homes, some of them still sleeping in shelters.
The central library was a total loss, so much so that it will take at least two to three years before a new library can be built or remodeled. Think of this - between 200,000 and 300,000 books were lost forever. Several news services said that this was probably the greatest loss of books in our country's history.
I am asking for your help. While FEMA has promised money for the reconstruction, there is NO money available for replacing books. In order to raise money I hope all you who are able will send us signed copies of your books, manuscripts, DVDs that can be auctioned off or sold on the internet. Anything that you think might be of value to readers or collectors. Please sign things "For Cedar Rapids Library Flood Relief."
Mystery Cat Books of Cedar Rapids first proposed this idea and is willing to be the delivery site for anything you send. They will provide mylar covers and take care of anything that needs framing. Here is their address:
Mystery Cat Books
112 32nd St Dr SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
52403
319-363-2179
To give you some sense of scale our library carried an "A" rating and was the largest in the area. It is now operating out of two mall storefronts.
Thanks for taking the time of reading this. I hope you can help us out.
