ROCK VALLEY, Iowa — There are few things as comforting as losing yourself in a good book when seeking an escape from your troubles.
That’s been harder to do for Rock Valley residents since flooding devastated their community this summer.
Among the dozens of homes and businesses damaged when the Rock River inundated the community on June 21 was the Rock Valley Public Library, where flood water up to 4 feet deep surged into the building.
Rock Valley Public Library director Nicole McCray stands amidst shelves filling up with books at the library’s temporary location at 1503 14th St. The city’s library was damaged in June’s flood, and the staff has spent the months since then cataloging the books not ruined, plus thousands of others donated to the library, which McCray hopes will reopen at the temporary site in early January.
When library director Nicole McCray entered the back door …