ALA’s Chapter Relations Office, September 7:
The American Library Association now has a web page devoted to library-specific relief funds, available housing for library workers, and resources for coping with the disaster.
Alabama Public Library Service, Montgomery, September 6:
APLS Director Rebecca Mitchell provided a summary of known damage to Alabama libraries as of Tuesday at 4 p.m. This is not a complete list, as she is still awaiting news from some libraries in the state.
Aliceville Public Library: Closed for two days with no electricity.
Arab Public Library: Trees down, shingles loose, temporarily without power.
Baldwin County Library Cooperative, Robertsdale: Building is OK but staying closed until phone service is restored.
Bay Minette Public Library: Minor roof leaks, but no books damaged.
Brewton Public Library: Leaks around the windows.
Cullman County Public Library System, Cullman: Temporary power outage and internet interruption, but back up.
Daphne Public Library: Roof leak.
Emmet O'Neal Library, Mountain Brook: Power outage.
Escambia County Cooperative Library System, Atmore: Some building damage. Administrator Patricia Heltzel is operating out of her home.
Ian Pullen Smallwood Memorial Library, Chickasaw: Power outage. Reopened September 6.
Mary Berry Brown Memorial Library, Midland City: Some building damage.
Mobile Public Library: Extensive damage to the main library and at least one branch.
Mose Hudson Tapia Public Library, Bayou La Batre: Library destroyed.
Satsuma Public Library: Broken window, some damage to storage shed, network down. Open for business, but waiting for power.
Selma and Dallas County Public Library, Selma: Leaks around some windows.
Sulligent Public Library: Standing water at the front door, but no damage. A snake was spotted inside, seeking refuge from the storm.
Thomas P. Norton Public Library, Gulf Shores: Very little damage, but lost a few trees.
Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library, Brundidge: Some hail damage.
Washington County Public Library, Chatom: Power outage; plans to be back in operation this week.
State Library of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, September 7:
Louisiana State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton writes: “We are in desperate need of computers and printers. We are being inundated with evacuees needing to file FEMA applications, unemployment, search for loved ones, etc., and are coming into our public libraries to use the computers. Our libraries have greatly extended their hours to accommodate the people, but they need additional computers and printers. If you can please put the word out that if anyone wants to help immediately, this is our greatest need.”
Equipment specifications: Pentium 3, Windows 2000 (prefer XP), laser printers if you can still get toner for them.
Send equipment to: State Library of Louisiana, 701 North 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5232.
If you are able to assist them, let Rebecca know via email to help her know what to expect.
SOLINET, September 6:
The Southeastern Library Network is offering collection-recovery help to Katrina’s library victims. Executive Director Kate Nevins writes: “The safety and sustenance of people in the coastal south is the most important thing right now. Our prayers are with those who are struggling with loss and devastation in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I imagine that it will be a while before we know the status of the cultural institutions in our region. Whenever that time comes, when you are ready to deal with your collection recovery needs—or have access to others in need—please let us know what we can do to help. SOLINET Preservation Services is standing by with information, referrals, and possible on-site expertise. And we ask those of you who can to help get the word out where it is needed.
“Among the assistance SOLINET offers is help determining what to do with collections damaged by the storm; information on disaster recovery resources, including recovery vendors and supplies; telephone consultations; and information on recovery funding from government organizations. SOLINET is presently developing a list of preservation experts from around the region who can provide much-needed on-site support. SOLINET’s Preservation Education Officer, Tina Mason, is available at (800) 999-8558 and tmason@solinet.net. Please send information about distressed libraries to Tina. She will send them information about funding sources and available on-site expertise as this becomes available.”
Mississippi Library Commission, Jackson, September 6:
This is the MLC’s assessment of known damage to libraries as of Tuesday at 4 p.m.:
Central Mississippi Regional Library System, Brandon: Damage to the roof at the D’Lo branch. All branches are open except in Harrisville, Polkville, and Mize.
Columbus-Lowndes County Library System, Columbus: Some leaks but no major damage. All branches are open.
Copiah-Jefferson Regional Library, Hazlehurst: Director is in Shreveport, Louisiana. No power for the branches in Georgetown, Fayette, and Crystal Springs. There is no news from the Longie Dale Hamilton Memorial branch in Wesson.
Hancock County Library System, Bay Saint Louis: Branches in Waveland and Pearlington are destroyed. The Bay St. Louis library is ruined inside, but still standing. The Kiln branch has minor damage. Many staff have lost their homes.
Harriette Person Memorial Library, Port Gibson: The library is fine and open. Half of the city has been evacuated.
Harrison County Library System, Gulfport: The Gulfport library is still standing but gutted. The Biloxi Public Library had 8–12 feet of water; the building is standing but the contents are lost. The Margaret Sherry branch in Biloxi is OK. The West Biloxi branch lost an AC unit, but the building is OK. Information about D’Iberville, Division Street, Orange Grove, and Pass Christian branches is still sketchy.
Hattiesburg, Petal, Forrest County Library, Hattiesburg: The Hattiesburg library is fine, except for some roof damage. Library service will resume September 12.
Humphreys County Library System, Belzoni: Slight damage to the Belzoni library; all branches open.
Jackson-George Regional Library System, Pascagoula: Unable to communicate with Director Bob Willits, whose home has been flooded out. Believe Pascagoula has lost its roof, but the East Central branch in Moss Point is OK. The system will pay its employees for September and then close down. Funds to rebuild libraries are low on the priority list.
Jackson-Hinds Library System, Jackson: All branches are open, except for the Raymond branch and the Ella Bess Austin Library in Terry. The Northside branch has water problems. A robbery occurred at the Medgar Evers Boulevard branch when it was closed. The library system is providing storytimes at the coliseum, visitor cards, and access to the internet.
Kemper-Newton Regional Library System, Union: All branches are open, with some damage to the meeting room in the DeKalb branch.
Lamar County Library System, Purvis: There is roof damage at all branches, but all have the power restored and are open. The Purvis branch has a mold problem.
Laurel-Jones County Library, Laurel: The library is open and assessing problems. There is no water or power and mold is reported. Gas for the staff is a problem. The library is not in communication with all branches.
Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library, Brookhaven: The central library is open. There is no physical damage to any of the branches, though some are without power and not in communication.
Long Beach Public Library: The building is believed destroyed. Director Jeannie Ripoll is fine but has lost her home.
Madison County Library System, Canton: There is no power at the Flora branch. The Ridgeland branch has roof damage. The Canton and Madison libraries are open.
Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library, Meridian: The library is open and is not damaged. The staff is serving many evacuees with gift books and access to the internet. Director D. Steven McCartney’s home was badly damaged.
Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System, Kosciusko: The system is open, but there is some damage to the computer lab in Kosciusko and some damage to branches in Holmes County.
Natchez Adams Wilkinson Library Service, Natchez: There is no damage to the buildings. Staff has established internet service with wireless in the meeting room in Natchez. The city’s population has doubled with evacuees.
Neshoba County Public Library, Philadelphia: No damage except leaks.
Pearl River County Library System, Picayune: Not open for service, but the Picayune library fared well. A tree fell on the roof of the Poplarville branch, but limited damage.
Pike-Amite-Walthall Library System, McComb: Director Toni James is in Italy. The central library will be open Wednesday through Friday and closed on Saturday. Gas is a problem. Buildings are believed OK, but not in communication with all branches.
South Mississippi Regional Library, Columbia: The central library is fine and open. There are still communication problems with the branches.
Sunflower County Library, Indianola: All branches are open. The Indianola building has some leaks.
Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library, Vicksburg: The main library has some leaks on the riverside windows and some roof damage, but it is open. Power is coming on and off, so may have to close. But it is providing free internet service to evacuees.
Waynesboro-Wayne County Library System, Waynesboro: Open, with medium damage to the building. The parking lot is a distribution center for evacuees.
Yazoo Library Association, Yazoo City: The library is open, although the stained-glass sun roof over the circulation room is damaged.
Demopolis (Ala.) Times, September 7:
Much of the Mose Hudson Tapia Public Library in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, was left under water when waves of water flooded the city and caused widespread damage. Many books were also destroyed during the storm, but help is on the way. Demopolis Public Librarian Lindsy Gardner said a widespread effort has been launched by other Alabama libraries to restock the shelves of the Mobile County building. Gardner said she was informed other libraries were taking part in the effort and was more than happy to jump on board. Gardner said all books are appreciated, but they would like to bring in reading material that is in good condition. Gardner said people could simply bring their books to the library if they would like to make a donation.
Cincinnati (Ohio) Enquirer, September 7:
David Winkler-Schmit, coordinator of children’s and young adult services at New Orleans Public Library, is staying temporarily with friends in the Cincinnati area. In a letter to the editor, he writes: “I have worked as a children’s librarian for New Orleans Public Library for more than 10 years, and I have experienced firsthand how vicious poverty can be. Illiteracy, homelessness, and desperation fortify its horrible foundation. But we are making a difference. More children are reading and, hopefully, someday they will own homes and cars and have the ability to flee a natural disaster when it approaches. Their parents weren’t allowed this opportunity, and many died trying to save their kids’ lives.
“This past Sunday morning, I was sitting outside in Cincinnati drinking coffee with a broken heart, grieving for my city and neighbors. When I opened the paper and read a letter to the editor blaming my friends and fellow New Orleanians (“Those who stayed behind deserve blame,” Sept. 4), I was disgusted with its lack of compassion and dearth of understanding. The letter writer has no idea what these people went through, and should be thankful he likely never will. It is absurdly convenient to speculate from an armchair about those left behind.”
Reading list for teens who need to cope, September 6:
ALA’s Young Adult Library Services Association has developed a reading list of books about overcoming disaster and stories of survival for teens. The booklist, which features fiction and nonfiction, was created to help librarians, educators and concerned adults guide teens to books that may help them cope after Hurricane Katrina.
SirsiDynix, September 7:
Kathi Adams is working with customers in the Gulf Coast region and offers this information:
The New Orleans Baptist Seminary, a SirsiDynix customer, has migrated to Georgia, where they will be using the seminary there as a base for the foreseeable future. They have no idea of the status of the seminary or of the library. The campus was abandoned August 31, and no one has been able to get back in since that time. Director of Information Technology Laurie Watts has taken backup tapes of the library and wants to have help getting a server rebuilt and her data loaded (a number of other campus’ used this same database). Their library is on a little higher ground and their server is on the second floor, but they are going on the premise that all is lost, both due to the flooding but also due to the looting.
St. Charles Parish (La.) Library, Luling: Closed indefinitely; no power, minor damage.
Jefferson Parish (La.) Library, Metairie: Closed indefinitely; no word from staff.
State Library of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, September 4:
Washington Parish Library System, Franklinton: Library Consultant Dorothy White writes, “Just talked with Director Gabe Morley; he was on vacation in Atlanta, Georgia, when he heard that Katrina was going to hit Louisiana, so he and his family stayed there. He said that the small branches are okay, but that the Bogalusa branch has a tree on it, which made a big enough hole that the carpet is soaked from the rain, but he thinks the books are okay. The Franklinton branch, on the other hand, has major damage. A very large tree fell on the library and destroyed headquarters, and the library is full of water. It didn’t flood, but so much of the roof is gone and so much water came in from the rain. He doesn’t know when power will be back on in the parish, and he thinks that he probably won’t be opening the libraries any time soon.”
American Association of Museums, September 6:
Louisiana State Museum, New Orleans (as of September 2): Kacey Hill, public information director, states that early reports indicate that the Louisiana State Museum’s nine historic French Quarter properties have sustained varying degrees of modest to severe damage. Curatorial staff has conducted a preliminary survey of both facilities and collections for immediate stabilization purposes. Continuing assessment of conditions is underway, but it is too soon to fully realize the extent of the site repairs and collection treatment needed. Museum officials have received numerous calls from other institutions offering assistance, and look forward to accepting these generous offers in the weeks and months ahead.
National D-Day Museum, New Orleans (as of September 7): Richard Pyle with the Associated Press reported that their New Orleans bureau sent a reporter and photographer to the museum and found it intact and with no apparent damage.
New Orleans Museum of Art, New Orleans (as of September 2): The Times-Picayune reported on August 31 that NOMA survived Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath without significant damage. Six security and maintenance employees had remained on duty during the hurricane. FEMA wanted them to move to a safer location, but there was no way to secure the artwork inside so the staff continues to stay on site. Museum workers had taken down some pieces in the sculpture garden before the storm, but a towering modernist sculpture by Kenneth Snelson was reduced to a twisted mess in the lagoon. The Wall Street Journal reported on September 2 that the climate-control system was operating at half-power on a backup generator. The museum may relocate some of its more fragile works, if generator fuel can’t be obtained soon.
Posted September 7, 2005.