Gulf Beaches Public Library reopens after hurricanes thanks to $150K donation for repairs

Gulf beaches library reopens

Lloyd Sowers reports.

MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. - For four months, Jane and Gene Field have been among the thousands of people shut out of the Gulf Beaches Public Library, which was damaged by the hurricanes in October.

What they're saying:

"We had four to five inches of water," said Stanley Silverstein, the library's director. "It completely destroyed the carpet, and we had to cut the walls two and a half feet up."

READ: Tampa leaders approve $3.2M in funding to help homeowners recover from hurricanes

He’s worked at the library for 32 years. Silverstein’s home escaped damage, but not everyone was so lucky.

"Like the board of trustees, their houses were destroyed," said Silverstein.

Big picture view:

The library is in Madeira Beach, but it’s funded by five local beach towns, all with homes and businesses still damaged and not yet repaired. But, the library repairs were completed thanks, in part, to a $150,000 donation from a patron, so they didn't have to wait for insurance money.

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"It was like an angel," said Silverstein.

The Gulf Beaches Public Library, which is located at 200 Municipal Drive in Madeira Beach, is as much a community center as a library, with it being a meeting place for groups and clubs. People also use their computers and notary services.

"This is the best library ever," said Jane Field with a smile as she headed for a shelf full of books.

There’s just time enough to sing Happy Birthday to Silverstein, who can’t imagine a better present than to have this beloved library open again.

The Source: The information in this story was gathered through interviews with the library director of Gulf Beaches Public Library and people at the library.

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