SHERBURNE – The Sherburne Public Library was forced to close its doors to the public for the near future and do curbside service only, not because of COVID-19, but due to a drunk driving accident that occurred on Saturday.

According to Chenango County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Joshua Gould, at approximately 9 p.m. on Saturday a Chevy pick-up truck allegedly operated by Sherry Knapp, 54, of Sherburne crashed into the northeast corner of the Sherburne Library.

The damage caused the destruction of safety railings and other mandated state building requirements at the front entrance of the building, requiring the library to close until they are repaired.

The library is still open but residents are asked to make appointments by calling the library at (607) 674-4242. Prior to the accident the library had been open to visitors since the start of the year.

“Currently we are doing curbside service,” said Sherburne Library Manager Colleen Law-Teft. She lives on the same street of the library and heard the sound of the crash. She walked to the scene on Saturday to see what had happened.

“It was about 9 p.m., I live across the street, heard a loud bang and came over and the fire department was there. They were there helping to get the lady out of the the truck,” she said.

Since working for the library since 2004, Law-Teft said nothing like this had ever happened before.