The Evergreen State College
Daniel J. Evans Library
Government Documents/Maps (GovDocs/Maps)


Olympia Earthquake, 2001:
What Happened Here
Last update: March 7, 2001

GovDocs/Maps Photo Gallery:
Earthquake Aftermath: "The Mess" | "Cleaning Up" | "Triumph!"

Main Stacks and Periodicals Photo Gallery | TESC Campus Photos of Damage


This is an email that I sent to the Goverment Documents Listserv (GOVDOC-L) on March 3, 2001 describing the earthquake and the damage to the collecton.

I was minding my own business at my computer looking for some information for a professor when all of a sudden I hear a loud bang...at first I thought something had fallen on the floor above us, but then everything started to shake...the building rocked (its supposed to do that...built for that purpose). Though it only lasted 45 seconds, it seemed much longer than that.

I leapt from my chair and went out of the office. Everyone in the library left the building and were not allowed to return to the building until Facilities and Police Services inspected everything for structural damage. Many people left their keys in their office and had to find alternate transportation home. The Evergreen State College closed for the rest of the day and today.

I returned to the library today at noon and found government documents all over the place. I called my student workers so they could come and help out and they did. I was grateful that the metal braces sustaining the shelves worked otherwise the damage could have been much worse. There were no water leaks (for which I am grateful) or gas leaks. The building is safe.

The college will re-open on Friday for classes. Only the Reference Area will be available for patron use. The Main Stacks, GovDocs/Maps Stacks, Maps Area, Periodicals, ILL, and Archives will be closed to patrons so we can get everything in order. The library will have their regular hours on Saturday and Sunday as well. I guess you know what I will be doing this weekend....

There were no reports of injuries at all (Bless the Lord!!).

I took pictures of the mess and I hope to have them available on our website next week.

There was no damage to my apartment and I am feeling okay. I still feel a little shaken up by the whole experience.

Thank the Lord no one was hurt.

Gotta go now....I'm sweaty and very hungry...there is more work awaiting me tomorrow.


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