The Arlington branch library, located at the Cranston Senior Enrichment Center, reopened on Feb. 28 after a month and a half closure due to a frozen pipe that burst that resulted
in water damage; the library continues to work on restoring its full collection.

According to Library Director Ed Garcia, Arlington lost half of its 1,500 piece collection on Jan. 17. The damaged materials included their adult fiction and large print books, movies and five computers. Garcia said due to the extensive damage, repairs needed to be made to the ceiling and wall nearest to the pipe.

The carpet has been replaced and the pipe has been repaired; the library’s insurance will cover the damage costs.

Garcia said the repair process went quicker than he expected. “We are excited to have the Edward Costa Memorial Arlington Branch reopen on Monday after the devastating flood which did significant damage to the library itself and our collections,” said Garcia. “Thank you to Mayor Hopkins, the staff at the Cranston Senior Center and everyone at the city who helped so quickly in getting the necessary building repairs completed allowing us to reopen.”

For now, the library will maintain a limited collection as the staff works to reorder items and catalog them into their system. Garcia said some of the adult fiction, large print books and movies will be the same but the library will also refresh its collection. The items will filter in, with some arriving next week. The computers have been replaced with four available to the public. The library resumed its normal hours of operation.