Page 4 - Aug 10 18

4 The Villager August 10, 2018 nhvillagernewspaper.com
Lightning strike gives library choice of new foor plans

By Michael Pon
The Villager
A week ago today, the Hopkinton Town Library’s cupola was struck by lightning and
caught fire at about 4:43 p.m. during an afternoon of thunderous weather across the state.
The only good thing about the circumstances of the event was the timing, which quickened
the response from the Hopkinton Fire Department.
“We’re on the top of the hill, so we hear storms,” said Library director Donna Dunlop of
the lightening strike. “It was incredibly loud but we didn’t know the library had been hit,
so we kept working, But my colleague looked up and saw flames in the cupola ceiling tiles.
Then we vacated the building, and the sprinklers went off.”
When firefighters arrived at the library on Friday light smoke was coming from the
cupola, the Fire Department posted on its Facebook page. Fire Chief Jeff Yale immediately
requested the full First Alarm assignment, but quickly upgraded that call to a Second Alarm.
Firefighters from Boscowen, Concord, Hillsborough, Henniker, Warner, Bow, Dunbarton,
and the Capital Area Compact responded to the call.
The Facebook post goes on to say the cupola and crawl spaces were difficult to access,
hindering firefighter for a while, but the fire was quickly doused and crews continued to
search for hot spots in the ceilings.
“We’re very lucky because it could have been much worse. No one was hurt, and because
the staff was there the response was that much quicker to call the Fire Department,” said
town administrator Neil Cass. “We have excellent insurance and we are working with the

Damage to the Hopkinton library was extensive, but could have been worse.

adjuster, and we expect to replace everything and have it back the way it was.”
4 As good as insurance is, it appears the library will be closed for three to six months while
repairs are being made. As of Wednesday, books in good condition were being moved to
safe storage. A photo of the boxed books is posted on the Town Facebook page. A Thursday
morning Facebook post on the town site stated that 40,000 books are being moved.
One notice Town officials posted pointed out that there will likely be additional costs
beyond the insurance payment. If you wish to donate, mail a check to Hopkinton Library
Foundation, PO Box 217, Contoocook, NH 03229.
A link is also provided there to neighboring libraries that are opening their doors to
Hopkinton residents for library services. That link is: htlnews.blogspot.com
“Concord, Warner, Webster, Henniker, Hillsborough and Dunbarten all have said our
library patrons will be able to use those are libraries,” Dunlop explained. “That level of
support is so heartening.”
Also posted on the library Facebook is that contractors were in on Tuesday and will be
preparing estimates to repair the damage. Also there is now a library office up and running
at the Slusser Center located beside the library. Phone service and Internet are already up
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
and going. The number is 746-3663.
“We’re choosing to view this as an opportunity and move forward,” said Dunlop. “They
will have to gut the library, so we’ll be able to look at the floor plan, how things could be
changed for the better, including updating our technology. A better library, that is our aim.”
Any books to be returned should be taken to the book drop at town hall, as the library
will not be open and books could be damaged if left at the library drop. A specialist will be
examining books affected by the fire, smoke and water to determine if they can be salvaged.
“We are really trying
very hard to pull things
together and assess the
level of damage. I just want
to be sure to register the
level of support from this
whole community has been
extraordinary,” Dunlop
acknowledged. “My staff
has really stepped up and are
trying reestablish as many
services as possible.”
Already, scheduled library
programs have been made
available at alternate venues.
A kids’ program took place
on Wednesday at the Slusser
Center, and a program on
Vietnam took place at the
town hall on Thursday.
Check the website and
Facebook for the scheduling
and venues of any other
upcoming events.