LISBON – The Lisbon Falls Community Library is expected to be closed for two or three days because of damage caused by a truck that drove into the building Sunday afternoon.
There was a lot of damage, but it “could have been worse,” library Director Diane Nadeau said after seeing the library Monday morning.
Nadeau said an insurance adjuster inspected the damage Monday morning and Service Pro was busy cleaning the facility Monday afternoon.
No figure will be placed on the cost to repair the building until contractors inspect it, Nadeau said. More damage was found inside Monday, including cracks in the walls and ceilings. Also, the impact of the crash moved a stairwell and entrance leading to the children’s area and main floor.
Nadeau said it was fortunate that the accident happened Sunday, when the library was closed.
Otherwise there could have been injuries because that entrance is used regularly by adults and children.
“People have rallied around us, hugged us, and we’re getting calls,” she said. “The community has been so supportive; it could have been worse.”
It appears the large brick building is still structurally sound, but this won’t be officially determined until it is inspected by contractors. No books were lost, although books, papers, broken glass, bricks and debris were scattered everywhere, she said.
Nadeau hopes to have the library open by midweek, but that will depend on what contractors find.
Public works personnel used plywood and plastic to protect the building immediately after the accident.
A 1998 Dodge Ram pickup driven by 25-year-old Matthew Clements of Bowdoin careened out and control after being struck broadside by a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Jean Berry, 47, of Brunswick, on Main Street at the Maple Street intersection. He struck and snapped a metal light pole, continued over the sidewalk and through the front wall and window of the library, landing two feet inside the building.
Neither driver was injured, but Clements’ passenger, Jaela Costello, 22, of South Portland, suffered facial lacerations, head, back and knee pain, and was taken to Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston.
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