While we were collecting books for the burned Skovoroda Library in Poltava oblast, the Vernadsky National Library was flooded in Kyiv
Office No. 1 of the Vernadsky National Library at 62 Volodymyrska Street was flooded by a leaking central heating pipeline on the night of October 21-22. The pipe burst on the seventh floor and through the night (approximately 3 to 8:30 a.m.) hot water oozed downstairs. Steam and humidity damaged a considerable part of the library stock, including the library and historical collections department, those of fine arts, engravings and reproductions, exchange and reserve, and newspapers. Preliminary estimates point to over 200,000 items sustaining varying degrees of damage (journalists trying to find out precisely what books or collections were damaged received no clear answers). The library administration insists that the music stock, old and rare books, Judaica, and manuscript collections are undamaged.
The general public was informed about the accident on October 30, more than a week after the event during which time the library administration and the head office in Moscow Square (director Oleksiy Onyshchenko), as well as Office No. 1 (director Liudmyla Mukha) modestly kept the bad news to themselves. The information blockade was organized in the best Soviet tradition; it was as though nothing had happened or even if something did, it was nothing to worry about. Library staff was “recommended” to refrain from commenting on the subject. Why is the fear to speak the truth is so persistent? In any case, the bad news could not remain hidden for long, as people shared it with one another in hushed aggrieved voices, adding that they were ordered to keep silent. After some information leaked to the media, followed by a parliamentary inquiry, the library administration and people at the National Academy of Sciences in charge of the library called a news conference. Much to the journalist audience’s surprise, Mr. Onyshchenko explained the secrecy by a desire to prevent media people from hanging around the premises and stealing (!) something, adding that such cases had taken place. Also, that any media coverage of a library, especially when something goes amiss, is a welcome chance for the underworld.
This gave rise to many questions. How could hot water ooze through a major national library for so long during the night, without anyone noticing anything? Especially considering that the premises were hooked up to a 24-hour burglar and fire alarm system? There was also a console with a manometer, so any leakage ought to have been quickly spotted. The piping had to be checked under various pressures before the heating season. If it was, why was nothing found wrong and everything happened after they turned on the central heating. And at night, of all times... Library veteran staffers admit that previously every start of the heating season was an extraordinary event, there would be people posted on every floor to watch the radiators. Some suspect an act of sabotage, an attempt to destroy the precious library stock, another link in a long chain of fires and floods at Ukrainian libraries.
Incidentally, this library caught fire in 1964 and there is still talk about it being anything but accidental, that some phosphoris substance was planted. At that time some books perished in the fire, but considerably more were destroyed by the firefighters. Later, soldiers drove truckloads of books to the Left Bank and dry them under the sun, in forest clearings.
On October 23, the National Academy presidium issued Directive No. 642, setting up a commission of inquiry presided over by Academician Yatskiv. Rescue operations involve experts from the institutes of microbiology and virology (fungi constitute the greatest danger), surface chemistry, absorption, problems of endocrinology, technical physics, information registration, etc. The most urgent measures have been taken, the surviving stock sorted out, with documents damp by 50% and over transferred to Kyiv Refrigeration Combine No. 3. Their number currently registers 11,500 books, magazines, booklets, and newspapers. After the rescue operations, all of these will be treated by restorers. The Day asked if the return of all evacuated printed matter was guaranteed and received a reply in the affirmative. The rest of the library stock is being dried on the premises. 30,000 documents are already in good order.
Experts examining the flooded building declared no serious damage. A whole institute investigated the leaking piping and finally discovered inner corrosion. How amazing! This was something any professional plumber would have easily detected. At present, all pipes and radiators are being replaced. The contractors say it will cost UAH 50-60,000. The cabinet has allocated UAH 200,000. The library administration complains (with reason) of inadequate subsidies. A “normal” situation (normal because it happens all over Ukraine). The libraries cannot afford to buy literature and pay for repair, for no such subsidies have been provided over the past two years. Instead, there are outstanding bills for electricity, office security, burglar/fire alarms, and communications. On the other hand, word has it that the managers of some libraries are constantly on foreign business trips, that premises are leased out. This means that funds should be available, but where is this money?
The library addresses all its former, current, and future customers, all those willing to help repair the damage and help it become operative: PLEASE HELP.
Settlement account #39218008002, UDK, City of Kyiv, Vernadsky National Library;
a/p 6541004000024/2 MFO 820019, Code #26077879.
