Last week’s winter storm endangered some of the state’s historic artifacts located in Des Moines. Heavy snow and rain caused the collapse of a ceiling on part of the Iowa Genealogical Society Library. Officials say they were planning to replace the flat roof ceiling because of deteriorating conditions, but the early winter delayed that work.
Now, the library is asking for donations to help cover the $60,000 in damage from the roof collapse. A press release states the incident nearly destroyed “irreplaceable family history volumes.” Plastic sheeting is being used to protect equipment and books while temporary repairs are being made. The library is scheduled to reopen on Monday.