Almost a year after the Flash Flood of 2009 caused nearly $8 million in damage to the Louisville Free Public Library’s main branch, Mayor Jerry Abramson and Library Director Craig Buthod announced the grand re-opening celebration scheduled for Saturday, May 15 at 1 p.m.

Those attending the open house event will see the first three phases of more than $11 million worth of repairs, restoration, and renovation of the 102 year-old building located at Third and York Streets.

“It is exciting to see our landmark library come back better and stronger,” says Abramson. “While she has been able to continue to be of service during this difficult time, it is wonderful to see her restored to her original grandeur and updated to be even more prepared to handle the community’s library needs for now and in the future.”

Last August, the flash flood poured more than six feet of water in the library’s operation center and it lost more than 50,000 books and 200 computers. Three weeks after the water receded the library had a partial re-opening, which offered a full range of library services including books to check out, internet computers, the children’s library, and recorded audiobooks.

The initial flood recovery and repair included the replacement of all mechanical, electrical, lighting and elevator systems. The improvements also replaced of all walls, floors, carpets and ceilings within the affected areas and the rebuilding of nearly 60,000 square feet of the library’s operations center and historic stacks.

Taking advantage of construction already underway, library management, with the support of the Library Foundation, made the choice to move forward with additional renovations and improvements as outlined in the Library’s updated Master Plan. The Main Library Landmark Initiative includes a series of additional renovation projects including:

Restoration of the Main Library’s Great Hall has restored the historic grandeur of the 1908 building and includes repair and refurbishment of the two grand staircases, marble flooring,

Landscape improvements around both the 1908 building and the 1969 addition, as well as cleaning, sealing and preserving of the limestone on the exterior of the historic south wing.

Refurbishment of the south wing’s second floor which includes the library’s highly successful “Job Shop,” reading rooms, and adult education classrooms which will be staffed by the Jefferson County Public Schools Adult Education Division in the fall.

A 350-seat auditorium designed for lectures, panel discussions and additional library events,

• A new 3,000 square foot children’s wing on the first floor, designed to facilitate age-appropriate reading groups and activity centers with state-of-the-art technology,

• A 2,000 square foot teen center located on the lower level featuring computer centers, areas for quiet study and books for young adults,

“Together, the flood recovery and Landmark Initiative projects constitute the largest capital library project since 1969 when the Main Library’s north side wing was added,” said Buthod. “We have come to think of our improvements as the silver lining of what was undoubtedly a very dark cloud.”