Newport library needs thousands of dollars to fully reopen [Video]

NEWPORT, Tenn. (WVLT) – In need of major electrical and flooring repairs, the Stokely Memorial Library in Newport is also looking at the future of what needs the community will need once they reopen. The library is using flood damage from Helene to look to the future.

The library in Newport only has about a third of their collection out at their temporary home across the street at First Christian Church. Now, they’re hoping, in just a matter of months, they can move back into their home permanently after renovations.

The shelves are empty, and the water is gone from inside the library’s original home in Newport.

While workers put out their most popular collections for people to read, there’s a lot more in storage.

Emily Majors, the library’s director, says they only had a couple inches of water inside, but need to rewire the entire building, put down new …