Hours:
Monday-Thursday
9 to 8:30
Friday
9 to 5:30
Saturday
9 to 1
A big and heartfelt thank you to all those who helped our community during our time of need!
Who was your hero? A neighbor, friend or complete stranger who helped you with your flood damage.. Write your story and send it to the library, 223 W. James Street, Columbus, WI 53925 attn: Director.
FOOD FOR FLOOD VICTIMS- Flood victims can contact the Columbus Food Pantry for help by calling Faith Lutheran Church this month or contact the local police department. A message from the Governor of WI about food for flood victims. Disaster Foodshare Benefits. Red Cross Service Center http://211wisconsin.org
FEMA - FEMA is now open at the Columbus High School, 1164 Farnham Blvd., in the little gym. They will be open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week for approximately the next 3 weeks. FEMA announcement June 19, 2008. Well test kits and cleanup buckets are now available at the high school pick one up if needed when you visit FEMA. Note if you signed up at the library you need to go to the high school and officially file with FEMA.
Columbia County and Dodge County has been declared a disaster area by the Federal Government. Contact FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or go to www.FEMA.gov. If you register online it will save you approximately 30 minutes of wait time when you go to talk to FEMA representatives. Register with FEMA online or by phone only once and be sure to write down your registration number.
SBA Disaster Assistance will also be located with FEMA. Renters, residents and business are eligible for SBA Disaster Assistance.
CLEANUP
The City of Columbus will take in flood damaged items for disposal at the Recycling Center, N3642 River Road, Columbus, Thursday, July 3: 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Only those items that were damaged by water will be accepted.
Other disposal sources at residents or building owners expense:
Inspections - It is the responsibility of the resident or building owner to pay for reconnections and inspections.
Sandbags- It is now the resident's responsibility to remove and dispose of sandbags according to DNR guidelines. Sandbags that have been in contact with flood water and or sewage are considered to be hazardous.
Can the city pump my basement or provide help cleaning up sewage spills? No, we're sorry but, the City of Columbus does not pump out basements or clean up sewage spills.
Who do you suggest we hire to help us rebuild? The City of Columbus does not endorse any particular builders or contractors. Contact the Better Business Bureau to check on reputable contractors and builders. Watch out for scams!
HELP AVAILABLE AT THE LIBRARY Disaster recover handouts are still available. Well testing kits and cleanup buckets are now available at the FEMA location at Columbus High School. When using the test kits for testing well water do not do so until the water recedes. Mail test kits to the address shown on the box do not bring them to the library. The state has waved the fees for testing wells be sure to write flood area on the paperwork. The library is no longer the site for food, cleaning supply.. donations they can be given to the Columbus Food Pantry by contacting a Columbus church or the Columbus police department. Web sites to help you prepare for and recover from a disaster
More resources for dealing with the flood
HEALTH ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announcement from Dr. Samuel G. Poser, M.D., Health Officer (June 20): It is suggested that you wear a face mask when cleaning in flooded areas due to the dry conditions and contaminants in the air.
Red Cross Announcement: Columbia County residents in need of a tetanus shot should contact the Columbia County Health Department in Portage at (608) 742-9227. No further tetanus shot clinics will be setup in Columbus.
Announcement from Dr. Samuel G. Poser, M.D., Health Officer: Volunteers and flood victims who have injured themselves during the recent flooding should update their tetanus if it has been more than 5 years. Be sure to take a copy of your immunization record with you to your primary physician.
Anyone experiencing vomiting, diarrhea or flu-like symptoms should contact their primary physician.
If you have a private well that may have been contaminated you should check your water supply. Test kits are available at the library free of charge. (We just received a new supply.) The state announced they will not charge for the processing of the test. Write "flood area" on the form you send in with the test kit.
Weather Information:
National Weather Service (NOAA)
For State Wide Road Closures call 1-800-ROAD-WIS or go to Weather Channel 3000.com
Hwy.
Looking for photos of the flooding? Photos of flooding in Columbus!
Watch for more information as it develops!
Libraries contribute to their communities in significant ways, and a new study helps quantify that belief. “Economic Contribution of Wisconsin Public Libraries to the Economy of Wisconsin” documents a $4.06 return for every tax dollar spent on public libraries.
This study was conducted by NorthStar Economics Inc. of Madison from October 2007 to April 2008 to determine the economic impact and taxpayer return-on-investment of Wisconsin's 388 public libraries. The Executive Summary is available as a nine-page document.
To read more about the real John Dillinger and the others in the movie go to "Public Enemies in Columbus".
Figure out the value of the library service provided to you.
PROGRAMS
Story hours will be held on Mondays from 10-11 a.m., Wednesdays 10-11 a.m.; Family story hours will be held on Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. Thank you for participating in the Spring story hours. The next story hours will be held June 16-July 23.
"Catch the Reading Bug" Summer Reading Program
Register starting June 16 in the Children's Department. Tuesday performer programs start June 17 at 3:30 p.m. and will be held at the Columbus Senior Center. Pick up a booklet with all the details in the Children's Department. Don't forget to enter the grand prize drawings (Milwaukee Brewers t-shirt & Bobble Head, Golf lessons, bowling passes, Culver's ice cream for a year and more). The summer reading program ends July 25.
"Metamorphose@your library" Teen Summer Reading Program
Register starting June 16 at the Adult Circulation Desk. Enter the grand prize drawings (Milwaukee Brewers t-shirt & Bobble Head, Golf lessons, bowling passes, Culver's ice cream for a year and more). The summer reading program ends July 25. Watch for more details in the near future!
If you need accommodations to attend these programs please call 623-5926 two weeks in advance.