NILES — The Niles District Library’s Smithsonian Water/Ways exhibit had no choice but to go with the flow last week when cold temperatures shut down the library and many other businesses and organizations across Michiana.

On Monday, Nicole Martin, the administrative manager of marketing and technology, announced that the exhibit was back on track this week and will be making up for lost time.

The Honor and Protect: Potawatomi Waterways program will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the library’s rotunda.

The program was initially scheduled for last Thursday, but the library was closed Wednesday and Thursday, due to the cold snap.

During the Honor and Protect: Tradition Potawatomi Waterways, Andy Jackson from the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Waterways will discuss how water has been a valuable cultural resource to their tribe. Jackson will dive into traditions like the Women’s Water Walk, which takes place during the Kee-Boon-Mein Kaa Pow Wow. The program is free and open to the public to attend.

At the time of publication, Martin said library officials did not know whether or not the Wastewater Treatment Plant tour had been rescheduled. The trip was initially. The programm planned for Feb. 2. Upcoming programs scheduled for February are still on track to occur.

Library Director Nancy Studebaker said she was glad to have the library open to the community again.

“We are so glad to be back,” Studebaker said. “It is always a hard decision to make to close because there are concerns about our employees. We want to be able to offer services that people need.”

However, with temperatures plunging into the subzero range, Studebaker said she had to make the call to close.

“We wanted our staff to be able to stay home and stay safe,” Studebaker said.

The Niles District Library was chosen to host the traveling Water/Ways exhibit out of a pool of other state-wide applicants. The program is part of the national Museums on Main Street program. Those who attend will have access to multiple programs, which will change every week, and seek to educate and intrigue people about all things water including its impact at a local, state and national level.

According to the Niles District Library’s website, the program is still expected to run through Feb. 16.

To learn more about upcoming programs, visit nileslibrary.com/water-ways.