Globe: Joplin Public Library lost 1,200 to 1,500 items in tornado

The Joplin Globe reports that 1,200 to 1,500 items checked out from the Joplin Public Library were among the casualties of the May 22 tornado:

Every section of the library lost something, and the biggest losses were to children’s books, DVDs and adult fiction.

“As far as the dollar value of what was checked out ... my estimate is about $30,000,” Gage said.

Gage said many library patrons who were victims of the storm were too conscientious.

“We had people the next morning — at 9 a.m. in the morning — we had people calling, saying, ‘I’m sorry, but my stuff was destroyed in the tornado, and I had library books. What do I do?’” she said.

Gage said the library has waived all fines and fees related to the tornado.