Extract from ABC News
Updated
A rare book store in the Brisbane CBD is being forced to throw out thousands of books damaged by water in Thursday's storm.
Many
of the second-hand collectables are still readable, but the proprietors
of Archives Fine Books have decided they cannot take the risk that
mould will spread through the rest of its shelves.The bookstore said at least $10,000 worth of books would have to be given away or destroyed.
Staff member Sam Colwell was in the store when the storm hit.
"There was just water pouring through the roof in five places I could see, but about 25 puddles," she said.
The immediate concern was for a collection of books worth $1,000 each that were in the path of the rain at the front of the store.
"Customers kindly offered to help get stock off the shelves," she said.
"We saved the $1,000 books; some of the $100 books copped rain but most were salvaged.
"About 20 first editions were trashed."
Ms Colwell and other staff will now spend days pulling books off the bottom row of 25 shelves that will have to be thrown away before they become mouldy.
She said the task was "really horrible".
"I love this job. Books are a dying trade and many people come here because there's nowhere else to go."
She said store owners Hamish Alcorn and Dawn Albinger were "very upset" by having to throw books away, as the store was a labour of love for them.
"Hamish and Dawn are the loveliest bosses. A lot of care is put into everything," Ms Colwell said.
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