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SALUDA—The Saluda Library, located at 44 W. Main St., officially reopened its doors on Monday, February 3, following repairs from the damages sustained during Tropical Storm Helene.

After a successful soft opening last week, the library is now welcoming visitors back after experiencing flooding during the storm. The damage primarily affected the basement, requiring the replacement of some of its collection and various repairs throughout the facility. Currently, both the main floor and the upstairs of the library are open to the public.

Library Manager Amelia Medrano expressed gratitude towards the City of Saluda, the Polk County IT Department, and Library Director Marcie Dowling for their efforts in coordinating the recovery process. 

“Our staff at the Saluda Library is thrilled to be back open and see everyone’s faces again and start checking out books,” Medrano said. “We’re a close-knit community here in Saluda, and we’re excited to check in with the folks we haven’t seen since the storm.”

The reopening coincides with the month-long celebration of National Library Lovers’ Month in February, a time dedicated to celebrating the importance of libraries and the joy of reading. 

“Library Lover’s Month is the perfect way for library staff and the community to celebrate their love for the library, reading, and reuniting with friends after many months apart due to the storms of Hurricane Helene,” Medrano added. “We are thrilled for our doors to be open once again, and we hope to see you soon.”

The Saluda Library’s hours of operation are as follows: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.