Library Community Reaches Out to Assist Evacuees, Colleagues
Tuesday October 4, 10:00 am ET
250+ libraries sign up for Adopt a Library program
As Americans nationwide rallied to assist those afflicted by Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing floods, U.S. library staff members have opened their doors, extended their hours and reached out to local shelters to connect people with vital resources and information. And just weeks after the American Library Association (ALA) launched the "Adopt a Library Program," more than 250 public, school and academic libraries have signed up to provide assistance to libraries in need.
The Carnegie Memorial Library in Lake Charles, La., put back into service 12 computers slated for removal, turning them into the Hurricane Evacuee Computer Center and serving more than 1,000 people over 10 days.
Several Houston Public Library branches set up computer labs exclusively for the use of Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
The Memphis (Tenn.) Public Library designated a bank of computers for hurricane evacuees to file for disaster relief and is providing information about local food banks, shelters, health resources, and other local services.
PRIME TIME FAMILY READING TIME, created by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, is partnering with local libraries to provide a modified version of the reading and discussion program for displaced families living in shelters. The award-winning program's scope has been broadened to include bibliotherapy, as well as family literacy. A storyteller, discussion leader and counselor use selected books for families to process recent experiences in a supportive group setting.
"Libraries can be a true life line to connect people with resources and services -- particularly if they are new to a community and unsure where to start in finding the information they need and want," said ALA President Michael Gorman. "Every library offers knowledgeable and trained staff who can help locate the specific resources you need -- to help you find work, financial assistance, or a good book to share with your children or to give access to the Internet."
Listed below are several other examples, among many, of stories collected by American Libraries staff and compiled online at
http://www.ala.org/katrina.htm: Many libraries across the region and the country are offering free nonresident library cards that allow library users to check out library materials and gain access to online resources. The Fayetteville (Ark.) Public Library reports that they are donating collections of popular materials to area shelters and preparing to offer preschool story times, if needed. The library also is working with the Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce to provide lists of employers who are hiring and to give out relocation packets.
The Dallas Public Library bookmobile is making weekly stops to the city's Reunion Arena, and library staff members are providing craft programs for children and flyers listing library services and a walking map from the shelter to the Central Library.
The Fresno Public Library also is offering temporary library cards and free access to homework help, assistance with resume and interview preparation, newspapers and magazines in print and online (including The Times-Picayune), computers and more.
More than 100 Maine libraries joined Read For Relief, a statewide book drive for hurricane evacuees in shelters, in its first week.
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) hit by Katrina will be getting help from at least two organizations long associated with efforts to keep those universities alive. The United Negro College Fund has set up a special relief fund to benefit Xavier University and Dillard University, both premier institutions located in New Orleans. The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education is coordinating with other universities to provide for alternatives in the event the HBCUs are not able to quickly reopen and return to a regular academic schedule.
Libraries and archivists will be working to preserve and maintain historical documents. Texas A&M University, for instance, is offering temporary "housing" for libraries that need to move and secure collections and records. The Southeastern Library Network (SOLINET) is developing a list of preservation experts around the region who can provide on-site support.
For more information on affected libraries and how to donate, please visit
http://www.ala.org/katrina
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Tuesday, October 4th 2005 at 12:54PM
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