STORY: A library in Liverpool is rebuilding after vandals torched it during a spate of racist riots across the UK over the last week.
The Spellow Library had reopened last year following a major refurbishment funded by local authorities, and also functions as a community center.
But it was set ablaze and burgled by a mob last Saturday (August 3).
Library manager Debbie Moore said she felt sickened when someone sent her an image of the building on fire.
“It was initial emotion was heartbreak, but then soon turned into anger to say, you know, we're going to fight back now. We're going to bring our services back and make sure the community doesn't suffer for this impact. I've relocated a lot of our events already that has gone to local communities."
Riots in the Liverpool region followed the killing of three girls on July 29 during an attack at a dance event for children in Southport, 15 miles (24 km) to the north of the city.
False information circulated on social media that the suspect was an Islamist migrant... which led to a week of violent protests across the UK targeting Muslims and ethnic minorities.
But recent days have seen thousands more marching in protest against the violence.
In that spirit, Liverpool resident Alex McCormick, started an online fundraiser for library in hopes of raising 500 pounds, equal to about $638, so it could buy more books.
As of Friday (August 9), the donations totaled more than $375,000.
“I've always loved to read as a child. Now, my daughter loves to read. I think seeing a library be damaged in the riots was just so heartbreaking, and I thought it would be a nice idea if we could do some fundraising and replace some of the books that were damaged and lost. Never did I imagine that it would go as far as it has, to be honest.”
McCormick said it's not her local library, but that she's looking forward to seeing it restored to its former glory, while Moore added that she hopes the perpetrators of the fire will see the center flourish.
