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Hurricane News Archive, September 2005

For information on disaster relief or other ways to help, visit the ALA Chapter Relations Office’s Katrina website.

September 30, 2005

Houston Area Library System, Hurricane Rita damage report, September 29:

Alma M. Carpenter Public Library, Sourlake: Damage unknown; the town is closed.

Beaumont Public Library System : Library director Maurine Gray reports that the main library was flooded, and there was extensive damage at the Tyrrell Historical branch. No word on the other branches yet.

Bridge City Public Library : City is without power or water. Damage to library unknown.

Buna Public Library : Director Lena White reports no damage, but will have no electricity for 4–6 weeks.

Chambers County Library System, Anahuac: Director A. Lynette Parsons reports the main library is closed and without power; the staff may install a generator to avoid mildew. The West Chambers branch in Mont Belvieu is up and running and serving as temporary headquarters. The Juanita Hargraves Memorial branch in Winnie lost a carport, a brick marquee with a sign, and some brick facing.

Fannie Brown Booth Memorial Library, Center: Minor water damage.

Groves Public Library : Building untouched, but power may not be on for 4–6 weeks.

Groveton Public Library : No structural damage, but no power or water.

Harris County Public Library, Houston: One branch is without electricity; another has the air conditioning out.

Houston Public Library : No branches sustained any damage. The Lakewood branch was without power until September 29.

Jasper Public Library : No known damage, but closed due to no power.

Jones Public Library, Dayton: No known damage. Power slowly being restored to the city.

Kirbyville Public Library : Director Lisa Brown said the building has only minor damage but the power will be off for at least 4 weeks.

Kountze Public Library : No damage to the exterior at least; no power.

Kurth Memorial Library, Lufkin: No major damage, but part of the roof peeled off. Library staff helped to answer telephones at the emergency center in city hall. Building reopened September 29.

Lumberton Public Library : No power for 4–6 weeks.

McMullen Memorial Library, Huntington: Director Debra Bashaw said there was water only on the carpet inside the door. No structural damage.

Marion and Ed Hughes Public Library, Nederland: All of Jefferson County is under a lockdown because of power lines down and roads blocked. The library will have no power for 4–6 weeks. It sustained some water damage, minor physical damage, and possibly some roof damage. The director is concerned about mold and mildew.

Mickey Reily Public Library, Corrigan: No damage, but no power or water. Director LaDonna Ray has been at the Community Center helping to feed the elderly residents.

Montgomery County Memorial Library System, Conroe: Director Jerilynn Williams reports they are having rolling brownouts. Little damage except for the R. F. Meador branch in Willis. The wi-fi antenna is down and they have a minor roof leak.

Nacogdoches Public Library : Director Anne Barker says the library is in good condition. However, 60 FEMA personnel and 240 Katrina and Rita evacuees are occupying the library and the building it resides in. The library will be closed for at least two weeks.

Onalaska Public Library : Reopened September 29 after being without power.

Orange Public Library : Damage unknown; no power.

Port Arthur Public Library : Aerial photos from the NOAA website show that the library roof has not sustained serious damage.

Rosenberg Library, Galveston: Some roof and wind damage. The building reopened September 28.

Shepherd Public Library : No power for 1–2 weeks.

Tarkington Community Library, Cleveland: Some roof damage; no electricity or water.

Vidor Public Library : Director Diana Hutchinson reports that from the outside it appears the library sustained no structural damage. She is unsure about roof damage or leaks. The library will be closed for 3–4 weeks.

Northeast Texas Library System, Hurricane Rita damage report, September 29:

New Boston Public Library : Wet carpets.

Rusk County Library, Henderson: The main library had a small window leak, and the Tatum branch had a roof leak.

Biloxi (Miss.) Sun-Herald, September 29:

Mississippi author John Grisham toured Harrison County Library System ’s Biloxi Public Library September 28, surveying damage from Hurricane Katrina. Among the water-stained books on the floor were a few of Grisham’s novels, including The Brethren and The Street Lawyer. Accompanied by CNN reporter Anderson Cooper, Grisham said he would use the fund he has set up, Rebuild the Coast Fund, to help libraries in the community, including Biloxi Public Library. BPL Director Charline Longino unexpectedly showed up at the library while Grisham was there and said it could be two years or more before the library could reopen. The Margaret Sherry branch will likely reopen the first week of October, she said, and branches in Orange Grove and West Biloxi soon after that. About 45,000 books in the downtown library were lost or ruined. She smiled widely when Grisham told her he would replace his books that were lost.

WLOX-TV, Biloxi, September 29:

Jamie Bounds Ellis, local history librarian at Harrison County Library System ’s Biloxi Public Library, took reporters on a tour of the damaged building. “There’s a window out here and a window out over here. And basically the water came in. We don’t see much wind damage in here. Things that were on the shelf above the water line are still there. So, it seems it was mostly a water event,” she said. Local History Library Assistant Jane Shambra added, “We had all this census microfilm here. . . . People just depended on this.” All the books that can be salvaged will be sent to Chicago by refrigerated truck for restoration.

Alexandria (La.) Town Talk, September 26:

The roof peeled back over the Reeves High School library in Allen Parish during Hurricane Rita.

Catholic News Service, September 29:

Three nonprofit religious organizations have set up a relief fund to rebuild Gulf Coast congregational library ministries damaged by Hurricane Katrina: the Catholic Library Association, the National Church Library Association, and the Church and Synagogue Library Association. The groups said any church, parish, synagogue, academic, or school library damaged by Katrina will be eligible for money from the joint fund, regardless of denomination or affiliation. For details, visit the CLA website.

September 28, 2005

State Library of Louisiana, September 28:

Cameron Parish Library, Cameron: Director Charlotte Trosclair said September 28 the status of the libraries is not good. In Cameron there is just a slab left. There is nothing left of the two historical buildings of the Grand Chenier branch. There is nothing left of the Johnson Bayou branch. There is water in the Hackberry branch; she does not think it will be usable. The Grand Lake branch building seems OK.

Saint Martin Parish Library, St. Martinville: Director Jeanne A. Essmeier wrote September 26, “We are fortunate; damages are relatively minor to buildings and all staff is okay. The grounds are messy, but no trees down. The Cecilia branch has minor damage of a flat roof area; water is seeping into light fixtures and ceiling tiles in the juvenile section, the public restroom, and children’s room. The Breaux Bridge branch is the only facility with no power at this point. The Arnaudville branch has damage to the rail and ramp to the entrance; it was already on the city’s list of buildings to repair or refurbish. The Parks branch will require cosmetic repair to a few wall shingles and window caulking. The main library in St. Martinville is okay.”

Vermilion Parish Library, Abbeville: Director Jackie Choate wrote September 26, “Our branch here made it through beautifully. The Delcambre, Maurice, Kaplan, Gueydan, and Abbeville branches are fine. We have electricity in Maurice and Abbeville. Some of our others were not as lucky. The Erath branch had about a foot of water. All books on the bottom shelves are wet. We will start there tomorrow in packing what isn’t wet and bring here. Then we will move shelving and pull up the wet carpet. Will reappraise after that. The Cow Island branch is in a school and the school had water but the library is in a portable building and is higher. I can only hope. Should know about it tomorrow. KATC has a picture of the Pecan Island branch. Haven’t seen it yet, but I think we may have a totally damaged building. Waiting for the KATC site to finish updating the photo gallery.”

Vernon Parish Library, Leesville: Director Howard Coy Jr. wrote September 26: “Vernon suffered damage, but our staff are all ok. Electricity is out, and will be out for 7 to 10 days, no water, and phone service out in a large part of the parish, including some cell. The library had a rain gutter fly off, a leak in one corner of the building, and the upstairs archives area floor is wet. The archives seem to be safe and dry. Mold is growing on the carpet. We are closed, and will be probably all week.”

Georgia Archives, September 28:

Preservation Services Manager Christine Wiseman writes: “Between September 14 and 16, Ann Frellsen, collections conservator at Emory University, and Christine Wiseman, preservation services manager at the Georgia Archives, conducted assessments of archives and historical repositories in the three coastal counties of Mississippi damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Under the auspices of the Mississippi Archives, a small team visited nineteen sites that included public libraries, city halls, court houses, historical societies, museums, and private collections. Because of time constraints, we focused on examining damaged permanent and vital records in government facilities, and on local history and genealogical collections held in public libraries. In nearly every instance, preventing or halting mold growth was a major concern, given the lack electrical power and the expectation that power would not be available for several more days or weeks.

“In some cases we were able to confirm or discount earlier reports of damage. Public libraries in Bay St. Louis and Pascagoula, for example, were already on their way towards recovery, despite earlier reports of severe damage to their collections. Mold remediation and building drying activities, such as removing wet carpeting and drywall, were already underway. In the case of the Pascagoula Public Library, only several hundred volumes of replaceable materials were lost. Staff were concerned about the condition of the local history and genealogy collection, which was expected to remain in the building without power for several more weeks. The Biloxi Public Library suffered extreme damage to their general collection; the focus was on salvaging as much of the local history collection as possible.

“Some government buildings had basic services restored and were open to the public. Moss Point City Hall and Hancock County Court House in Bay St. Louis, for example, were open to the public, despite the damp and moldy volumes air drying in their hallways. We were told that ‘an official’ had told people that everything submerged in the floodwaters had to be thrown out. That directive may have caused vital records to be discarded before we arrived. We noted the amounts of damaged materials at all sites, so that the plans could be made for freezer trucks and climate controlled storage. In all cases we talked to staff about the importance of taking personal safety precautions and trained people to use on using respirators properly.”

Christian Science Monitor, September 28:

Regarding the wet documents at the New Orleans Notarial Archives: “Most documents were land deed records, very old,” says Lauren Reid, an executive vice president at Munters Moisture Control Service, a restoration firm in Glendale Heights, Ill. “Louisiana is a Napoleonic state. There’s a lot of historic records in that state.” Truckloads of papers from other damaged collections are on the way, Mr. Reid says. Twenty more trucks of wet documents are still being stabilized in New Orleans before being shipped.

The main building of the New Orleans Public Library stayed dry. But six of the 12 branch libraries were “pretty much devastated by flooding or rain damage,” says Wayne Everard, archivist for the library. Although water flooded the basements of two libraries at Tulane University, he says, “They think they’ll get a lot of important stuff recovered.” Already the American Association for State and Local History has raised funds to send RVs to affected areas. On those RVs are conservators from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works in Washington, D.C. Last week the first team of these volunteers arrived in New Orleans. Dressed in hard hats, hip boots, masks, and Tyvek suits, they visited libraries, historical societies, and other cultural agencies. “We’re doing assessments,” says Conover Hunt, a collection specialist in Hampton, Va. “That’s the first thing to do in deciding how to fix what got hurt.”

In another volunteer effort last week, Richard Pearce-Moses, president of the Society of American Archivists, was part of a team of archivists visiting three sites in Mississippi—Gulfport, Biloxi, and Waveland. They surveyed damage in city halls, a public library, a historical society, and other archival collections.

“Records collections were either completely destroyed by the storm surge or were in poor condition because of high humidity that causes mold growth,” Mr. Pearce-Moses says. The challenge now is finding space to move records from damp buildings to dry locations. At the Biloxi Public Library, the building is structurally sound, but the interior is filled with mud and mold. Locked inside is a collection of valuable historical photographs. “If we don’t get in there and have them frozen and then restored, we may lose the most significant collection of Biloxi history,” says Pearce-Moses.

The Society of American Archivists has a list of 200 archivists willing to donate time to help. But a lack of lodging, water, and food in affected areas prevents large numbers of volunteers from traveling to the area. Staff members from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History are commuting three hours a day each way to try to salvage collections.

In another sign of the collective effort involved, the National Archives is working to find freezer space to store books and documents until they can be treated, Ms. Bennett says. They are racing the clock. “The huge fear is that it may be too late,” says Paul Messier, a conservator of photographs and works on paper in Boston. “We almost couldn’t have a worse combination of elements—the initial wetting of the material, then prolonged exposure to high-level humidity. We’re looking to do our absolute best with what we are presented with.”

“People have simply forgotten about the archival collections, where most of their history resides,” says Faye Phillips, associate dean of libraries for special collections at Louisiana State University. “We really need to get that on the radar for future disaster plans. You can buy new library books if you can come up with the money, but you can’t buy new archives.”

Beaumont Enterprise, September 26–28:

Lamar University in Beaumont will continue with its fall semester, President Jimmy Simmons said, despite damage to some of the buildings from Hurricane Rita. He did not say, however, when students could return. Crews on September 27 were clearing debris from the Mary and John Gray Library’s top floor, Lt. Danny Bowden of the university police said. The University Reception Center on the 8th floor was substantially damaged after windows and window frames were blown out, sending howling wind and rain to destroy the interior. Water damage extended to the 7th floor where ceilings and carpets were damaged.

Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, September 28:

Phyllis Heroy, director of library services and instructional technology with the East Baton Rouge Parish Schools, learned that the school district’s library’s “main warehouse was destroyed by Hurricane Rita” after receiving eight to nine inches of rain. “Everything we had in our warehouse was destroyed, including donations we had received [since Katrina]. It goes from bad to worse . . . and more storms are predicted.”

SirsiDynix, September 28:

Huntsville, Alabama–based ILS vendor SirsiDynix announced, in cooperation with the Mississippi Library Commission, an appeal to its customers to donate quality PCs for use by Mississippi libraries in serving people and entire communities affected by Hurricane Katrina. Libraries along the Mississippi Gulf Coast destroyed and severely damaged, as well as libraries serving evacuees elsewhere in the state, are in need of PCs to meet the emergency demand for Internet access to FEMA and other disaster recovery resources.

Mississippi libraries and the people they are seeking to serve will benefit from ready-to-use PC units with the following specifications:

• Complete unit, including base, monitor, mouse, keyboard, cables, and operating system and browser software installed
• Recently manufactured—no more than three years old
• Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP operating system
• Intel Pentium III or better microprocessor
• 256MB minimum RAM; 512MB preferred
• Internet ready with updated browsers
• FEMA form capable (Java scripting)

SirsiDynix customers or other libraries able to donate PCs and cover shipping costs may contact Treasure Stover of the Mississippi Library Commission to facilitate the matching of donors to Mississippi libraries in need of additional computers.

Tryon (N.C.) Daily Bulletin, September 26:

The Polk County (N.C.) Public Library has adopted the Long Beach (Miss.) Public Library, which was damaged substantially by Hurricane Katrina. The staff learned of the loss of the library through a Long Beach resident, Jean Sneed, who had come to stay with relatives in Polk County. Her house is still standing with little damage, but everything south of the railroad track to the beach is totally destroyed. She had asked her son, who is camping out in her house, to return her library books. He called back to tell her that he couldn't because the library drop box was gone and the building was badly damaged.

Contact was made with the library director, Jeannie Ripoll, through the Mississippi Library Commission’s Small Library Systems Consultant Katherine Buntin. Ripoll said the only library book that she knew of that was still usable is a Scrabble dictionary. Others that had been checked out have survived and are being returned by mail. The entire building and all other city buildings except the fire station are totally destroyed or so badly damaged they are not salvageable. The Polk County Public Library is selecting books from all areas that have been donated or deaccessioned to send to the Long Beach Library. Each book will have a plastic book cover put on it and a spine label so that they will be “library ready.” Cynthia Terwilliger, Polk library’s community relations specialist, is coordinating delivery of the books.

The American Library Association’s “Adopt a Library” site is at www.ala.org../../../../katrina/adopt.

September 23, 2005

Hurricane Rita, September 23:

In preparation for Hurricane Rita’s landfall September 24, many libraries along the Gulf Coast of Texas and in western Louisiana have closed. Houston Public Library closed September 22 and expects to reopen Monday, September 26. It is maintaining a hurricane information page on its website. The Harris County Public Library branches closed September 21.

In Texas, all University of Houston campuses, the University of St. Thomas, Houston Baptist University, Galveston College, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Lamar University in Beaumont, and Lamar State College in Port Arthur are closed for the weekend. In Louisiana, McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, University of Louisiana at Shreveport, and University of Louisiana at Lafayette are also closed.

Rice University’s Fondren Library in Houston is one of three buildings being used as a hurricane shelter for students staying on campus (estimated to be half the student population). The university website cautions: “Because the campus can best care for students if the number of people on campus is at a minimum, faculty and staff are asked to please take shelter away from the campus until the storm has passed.”

Chronicle of Higher Education, September 23:

Southern University of New Orleans has been damaged so badly by floodwaters that the entire campus may have to be rebuilt at a likely cost of $350 million. On September 19, three weeks after the hurricane hit the coast of Louisiana, foul black water still hugged Southern’s grounds. On September 20, the water finally withdrew. The library is a muddy jumble of furniture and books. In its main lobby stands a large, old-fashioned card catalog, a few of its drawers burst open by their swollen contents.

Escambia County (Ala.) Cooperative School System, Atmore, September 22:

Patricia Hetzel writes: “The Escambia County school system, which is housed in the same building as the Atmore Public Library, received some water from our roof from Katrina. The damage and the leaky roof started with Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Our Library-Books-by-Mail program has continued to operate even though we were damaged by Hurricane Ivan. We just adjusted and moved about 3,000 books to my house. We knew our patrons would still need us to operate. We are operating from the building and my house still. The roofers have made more repairs, we await a good heavy rain to see if we leak or not.”

September 20, 2005

American Library Association, September 20:

ALA has announced the creation of a Hurricane Katrina Library Relief Fund to raise money to help rebuild libraries in Gulf Region. All funds will go supporting the library relief efforts of the state associations. Contributions are tax deductible. To donate, visit ALA’s secure site, or mail checks (payable to ALA and marked for the ALA Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund) to ALA Chapter Relations Office, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. ALA President Michael Gorman writes: “The site allows you to make a donation, large or small, to the reconstruction of libraries in the region, using your Visa or MasterCard credit card. We have attempted to make the process quick and easy. I can assure you that all funds collected will go to three state chapters for immediate relief and long-term reconstruction projects.”

Biloxi Sun-Herald, September 16:

As 14 U.S. senators toured the devastation in Pass Christian, Mississippi, the town’s chief administrative officer, Malcolm Jones, offered them some details about the ordeal that a group of police officers went through in the Harrison County Public Library’s branch during the hurricane: “At the library, Jones paused and told the group how the police made a final stand of sorts against Hurricane Katrina on top of the bookshelves after their station started disintegrating. At one point, Jones said, the policeman had to form a human chain to rescue Chief John Dubeson from the storm surge, who was himself trying to rescue someone else. Jones choked up while telling the story and talking about rebuilding the town.” Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) moved quickly to comfort him. “We’re going to get you what you need to rebuild this town,” Cochran said.

Harrison County (Miss.) Public Library, Gulfport, September 19:

Harrison County Director Robert Lipscomb reported that his 5-year-old grandson and his mother were washed out of their home and rescued amid floating debris. About 30 members of his staff have lost most of what they own, “but as far as I know they are all alive,” he said.

Loyola University, New Orleans, September 20:

Library Director Mary Lee Sweat reported to ACRL: “The Loyola University campus received only minor damage, and the Monroe Library seems to be in good shape. We are very fortunate. Our current challenge is to provide access to our online databases and to support students who are enrolled in online courses.”

Tulane University, New Orleans, September 20:

Government Documents Librarian Eric Wedig reported that some 90% of the documents collection in the lower level of the Howard-Tilton Memorial Library has been lost due to flooding. Library Director Lance Query adds: “About seven feet of water was pumped out of the basement of the Howard-Tilton and Jones Hall (across the street where the archives are located). Materials are now in chillers, at least the ones we elected to try to save.”

New Orleans Public Library, September 19:

Library staff have visited several of NOPL’s 13 locations to assess damages. The system’s newest location, the Martin Luther King Jr. branch in the Ninth Ward, is almost completely submerged in the floodwaters. The Rosa Keller branch in the Broadmoor area has three feet of flooding and substantial damage to books, furniture, and the building itself. The Milton H. Latter branch, housed in one of St. Charles Avenue’s historic mansions, will need replanting of trees and relandscaping; there was no damage to the building. The Nix branch, uptown in the Carrollton neighborhood, has only window damage. Inspections of the remaining branches will be conducted as soon as possible.

One of NOPL’s branches will receive help from an adopt-a-library program in Weimar, Germany. The city has volunteered to sponsor the rebuilding of a library branch, modeling the program after one initiated to salvage the Duchess Anna Amalia Library destroyed by fire in September 2004 (American Libraries, Oct. 2004, p. 12). “This is a wonderful opportunity for us to focus on a specific branch location,” said City Librarian Bill Johnson. “We thank the people of Weimar for their generosity to New Orleans Public Library.”

Ron Gauthier, manager of the Martin Luther King Jr. branch, told American Libraries he made the mistake of riding out the storm at one of the city’s hotels. “After the wind blew out all the windows, they moved us all into the ballrooms, where we were stuck for 4–5 days without running water or electricity.” He said the hardest part was watching the water rise in the streets outside and having no way of knowing what was going on. Eventually Gauthier was evacuated to Atlanta, where he set up makeshift storytimes with some other volunteers at Red Cross shelters. “Just seeing the kids there with shocked looks,” he said, “convinced me they needed the magic that storytime can bring.”

St. Tammany Parish Library, Covington, September 19:

Children’s Services Coordinator Tanya DiMaggio writes: “We were hit pretty bad, but not as bad as our neighbors to the south. 99% of our staff are accounted for and most have returned to their homes, although only half of us have electricity (I’m one of the lucky ones). Our towns on the eastern side of the parish got hit with water surges from Lake Pontchartrain and several staff members have lost their homes to flooding. The rest of the parish is suburban and rural and we have a lot of trees. The hundreds-of-years-old live oak trees did well, but the smaller oaks and many of the pine trees snapped in half, many on people’s roofs. Several staff members have severe roof damage.

“The Pontchartrain branch in the south part of Slidell was completely destroyed. Two exterior walls were ripped away. The stacks fell like dominoes. There were DVDs found blocks away. We were all really sad about this because it was our newest branch, just opened a year ago, and it was beautiful. Thankfully, the only other branch that received damage was a small branch in the town of Madisonville, on the lake. It is a two-story building and got quite a bit of water inside, windows blown out. Thankfully, the bulk of the collection is upstairs, with new fiction and reference (very small collection) downstairs.

“The public schools here open October 3 so for the next two weeks we will do a lot of programming for kids of all ages at the three larger branches. We are also showing daily matinees for families at two locations where we have movie licensing.”

Associated Press, September 20:

In an interview with AP reporters to promote the National Book Festival September 24, First Lady Laura Bush emphasized the “Book Relief” project, cosponsored by the Library of Congress and the nonprofit First Book, that will gather 5 million books to give to evacuees, libraries, and schools affected by the hurricane. “It’s going to be really important as we rebuild these schools on the Mississippi Coast and in New Orleans to make sure their libraries are rebuilt better and stocked even better than they were before,” said Mrs. Bush, a former school librarian.

September 16, 2005

Federal Communications Commission, September 15:

FCC Chair Kevin J. Martin proposed spending $211 million from the Universal Service Fund to restore phone and internet services to libraries, schools, hospitals, and consumers in the tri-state area affected by Hurricane Katrina. As of September 15, 310,000 of the 4.9 million phone lines that BellSouth operates in the region were still out of commission. Ken Moran, director of the FCC's Office of Homeland Security, said in the September 16 New York Times that 25% of the cellular sites were still not functioning, and seven television stations in Louisiana were still off the air. The FCC's Universal Service Fund provides some $6.5 billion annually to support telecommunication services for schools, libraries, and consumers in rural and low-income areas.

Society of Southwest Archivists, September 15:

NOPL Archivists Wayne Everard and Irene Wainwright write: “News from New Orleans Public Library continues to be encouraging. A small team of staff went back into the Main Library September 14 and found that the basement remains dry (no flooding from internal sources, sewer backup, etc.). The Central Business District will open back to business owners on Saturday, September 17, and presumably access to the area will then be much simpler. Power is also coming on quickly in the CBD, and we are hoping that we will be able to power up our own AC very soon. Another group of staff will be going in early next week to survey our branches and (if power is on downtown) to try to get the servers up and running. Meanwhile, courtesy of the State Library of Louisiana, we have mounted an interim version of NUTRIAS, our webpage, with a link back to the “old NUTRIAS” as a reminder of what we’re building back to.”

Susan Tucker, curator of books and records at the Newcomb College Center for Research on Women, Tulane University, writes: “The Vorhoff Library and Newcomb Archives has some flooding. The extent of the damage is not yet known, but the bulk of the collections are undamaged. Standing water in the reading room, however, will mean mold is setting in, and for this I have great concern for the book collections and the few archival collections located in this area. The University is working on campus-wide efforts to assess damage and establish responses.”

From a note by Tulane President Scott Cowen: “The university has hired a professional firm that specializes in the restoration and rehabilitation of facilities, including our collections and archives. The firm already has provided more than 400 people to work on our campuses, and their reports are especially encouraging. They report damage that is less than initially anticipated. They have assessed the damage to our buildings, have begun to repair windows, clear away downed foliage and place tarpaulins over any missing roofing tiles.”

Mississippi Library Commission, September 15:

MLC has these updates to libraries affected by Katrina as of September 15 at 3:00 p.m.

Hancock County Library System, Bay St. Louis: The Bay St. Louis Library suffered severe roof and water damage, but the building will be restored for use as a library. The Waveland branch is still standing, but it has been gutted and has structural damage. The Pearlington branch is still standing, but it is also gutted with everything lost. The Kiln branch had window and roof damage; library staffers are checking books out by hand; the meeting room is being used as a visitors reception area by members of the Florida Emergency Management Agency.

Jackson-George Regional Library System, Pascagoula: The main library had about one foot of water on the first floor and is closed indefinitely. The other seven branches had minimal damage and reopened September 14. An estimated 20,000–40,000 items were lost, not counting the Pascagoula collection. The Moss Point branch is serving as headquarters.

Long Beach Public Library: Director Jeannie Ripoll believes she might be able to salvage some materials from the top floor.

Pearl River County Library System, Picayune: All libraries reopened September 13. There is so great a demand for internet access that it is limited to 30 minutes at a time. Library staffers indicate they have “euphoria at the end of the day and the sense of having accomplished something that will truly help others.”

New Orleans Times-Picayune, September 15:

Metairie Park Country Day school will reopen in January. Katrina left water standing in the middle and upper school library.

Library of Congress, September 16:

The Library of Congress and First Book will join together to place millions of books into the hands of children and families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. “Book Relief” will be officially launched at the National Book Festival on the National Mall on Saturday, September 24. A celebration of the joys of reading, the National Book Festival is organized and sponsored by the Library of Congress. “On September 24, First Book will be part of the National Book Festival’s Pavilion of the States, adjacent to the tables representing Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama,” said James H. Billington, the Librarian of Congress. “At the First Book table, members of the public will be able to learn about and contribute to this ambitious effort to provide appropriate books to individuals of all ages, as well as to libraries, schools and other institutions affected by Hurricane Katrina.” First Book is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to give new books to children in need across the country.

September 13, 2005

University of Southern Mississippi, September 13:

University Librarian Kay Wall has this update on the USM campus libraries:

Hattiesburg campus, Joseph Anderson Cook Library. Melanie J. Norton, the director of the School of Library and Information Science, had her office window blown out during the storm; her office was destroyed. This was a floor-to-ceiling window, and was basically one wall of her office. There was minor water damage at the expansion joint from the second to third library addition, and ceiling tiles are down and the carpet was damp. The expansion joint is in a hallway, so the collections were not exposed to water. Power and HVAC were restored September 1.

Hattiesburg campus, William David McCain Library and Archives. While the facility sustained no significant damage from rain or wind, the Halon fire suppression system has been damaged and rendered inoperable, according to the University’s safety officer. Power and HVAC were restored September 1. The Hattiesburg campus classes began September 12. Campus was operable well before the city of Hattiesburg was able to accommodate the student population’s return. Power has not been fully restored in the area.

Long Beach campus, USM Gulf Coast Library. The first floor of this three-year-old structure received 12 to 18 inches of flood water. The roof appears intact from satellite photography and all windows are intact. This facility is in the area under martial law, and we have not been able to fully assess the damage. I was able to do a brief inspection September 7, and the carpet was wet, and there was still mud on the tile floor. The walls had been wet and there is damage there. Items on the bottom shelf may be damp, but the flood waters did not reach the second shelf. There is no power, so mold and mildew continue to grow. Overall, the facility fared well, and it appears to have little if any structural damage. Classes are scheduled to resume October 3, and many classes will be relocated to the Garden Park facility due to severe damage of several older buildings closer to the Gulf that experienced a 20+-foot storm surge.

Gulf Coast Research Laboratory, Gunter Library, Ocean Springs. Located in the Caylor Building, the library took on flood water of approximately 18 inches. There were items on the bottom shelves that were ruined in both the main part of the library and the stack tower. There was more mud left in this facility, and BMS Catastrophe has been working on salvaging materials. Power was restored September 2 or 3, but the HVAC system is not working, so mold and mildew continue to grow. There was more collection damage at Gunter Library than at the Long Beach Library. Classes are scheduled to resume September 19 for the 45 graduate students at this center. Many buildings at this research site were totally destroyed.

Stennis Space Center, Maury Library, Picayune. The university utilizes this library, but it is not under our control. I understand that it suffered no damage, but have no specific report.

Communication is still difficult, so we have a hard time planning. I will be returning to the Long Beach campus area September 14 to determine ways to set up services and prepare for collection assessment once we are allowed to get into the building. We have three employees who lost homes on the coast, but all employees have been accounted for and are safe.

Mississippi Department of Education, September 12:

MDE Bureau Director Robin L. Miles writes: “At the present time, I can tell you that 28 of our schools were completely destroyed by the hurricane. In addition to this number, approximately 200 of our schools have reported major damage due to flooding. I do not yet know how the libraries in those schools fared. I will see what specific information is available regarding damages to our libraries and get back with you as soon as possible. We would be grateful for any assistance in helping our schools make quality reading materials available for students.”

Society of Southwest Archivists, September 12:

Ann Wakefield writes: “Of the approximately 50,000 volumes that were located in the basement of the New Orleans Notarial Archives, about 2,000 were wet. The wet volumes are in freezer trailers to be sent to a freeze-drying chamber in Chicago for cleaning and drying. The rest are in climate-controlled trailers awaiting a destination. After much discussion with the Amoco building owners and management company, clearance was given on September 10 to climate control the research center on the third floor. On September 12, air conditioning is being positioned and the windows are getting boarded up.”

Association of American Museums, September 12:

Historic New Orleans Collection, New Orleans: Executive Director Priscilla Lawrence reported that staff members were able to enter the French Quarter last week with a state police escort. The buildings and collections are high and dry. Much of the material was moved to a generous and accommodating institution in another part of the state. Because the presence of armed forces is now pervasive, they feel that the museum is extremely secure. They hope to be back in operation as soon as city services have been restored.

Mardi Gras Museum, Biloxi: The Biloxi Sun Herald reported September 12 that the museum was in the process of being moved from the Magnolia Hotel to the Danztler Mansion. The first floor of the museum in the Magnolia Hotel washed out. Many exhibits and artifacts had already been moved to the historic Dantzler House, which was destroyed in the storm.

National D-Day Museum, New Orleans: “The museum suffered no serious damage and has not been flooded. We’ve offered our buildings, warehouse capacity and parking as a staging area for the National Guard. We have no power, water, or communications. Our internet server is down but we will update our website to provide information for staff, trustees, and friends.”

New Orleans African American Museum, New Orleans: Founder Vincent Sylvain reported that he has not had access to the museum yet. But he said it is reasonable to assume the museum and collection suffered major damage from flooding. The roof also probably sustained significant damage.

New Orleans Museum of Art: Assistant Director Steven Maklansky reported that the museum effectively weathered the storm, being built on high ground. The building received only minor damage and the flood waters never reached its walls. Some of NOMA’s staff rode out the hurricane in the museum. Days later when FEMA officials asked them to vacate the premises they refused. In their relief the museum has secured the services of a private security force to protect the site. A larger, additional emergency generator and a steady supply of fuel have been procured to power up the building to stabilize the conditions therein. The art inside the museum is safe. The art outside the museum is also in good shape; the initial survey revealed that only one sculpture (by Kenneth Snelson) sustained significant damage. The museum will reopen its doors as soon as it is feasible.

Pass Christian (Miss.) Historical Society: The American Association for State and Local History reported on communication with a resident who said that the historical society’s building is “totally blown away.” All that is left standing is an old safe where the informant thinks they stored their photographs and paper documents.

Tulane Museum of Natural History, New Orleans: Hank Bart reported that the bunkers housing the collections are intact and have no water around them. They stand about 4.5 feet above ground. The concern is for the possibility of mildew, since there is no electricity for the climate control. There are lots of trees down so staff cannot access the bunkers.

Newcomb Art Gallery, Tulane University, New Orleans: Director Erik Neil reported that sources indicate the main structure is sound. There are roof leaks and offices may have had some flooding. The primary concern right now is the removal of the most vulnerable works on paper and textiles. The off-site storage facility is located in an area of extensive flooding, and all indications now are that works of art housed there were damaged by water.

Calcasieu Parish Public Library System, Lake Charles, September 13:

Director Jeffrey A. Rippel writes: “In the meeting room at the system’s oldest branch, the Carnegie Memorial Library in Lake Charles (American Libraries, May 2005, p. 17), we set up 12 computers that our system administrator pulled from the ‘about to go to auction’ list and put back into service what we now call the Hurricane Evacuee Computer Center. That center has had 499 sign-ups since we opened it August 30. The signers had an average of two or three family members or friends with them, so the real count is closer to 1,200 to 1,500, and is still going on.”

Collection and Computing Librarian Loretta Gharst adds: “Six computers at the nearby Civic Center were set up as a homegrown lab manned by evacuees. They were using a separate ISP from the facility and also from FEMA, so there was no problem with the bandwidth, but there was a huge volume of internet traffic to the FEMA website. Our Computer Center got referrals from the shelter we’ve tried to be helpful to both the Red Cross and FEMA. The FEMA reps told us they appreciated what we were doing.”

KidsClick, September 12:

KidsClick, a collaborative project of the Ramapo Catskill Library System in Middletown, New York, and the Colorado State Library, has been updated in the past week with added content related to Hurricane Katrina. The resources included are both specific (kid-friendly news on Hurricane Katrina) and more general (dealing with feelings, how to be a good neighbor). For the most part, these are sites aimed specifically at kids and teens, rather than support resources for adults.

Maine State Library, Augusta, September 12:

MSL is coordinating Project Katrina, a statewide effort by Maine libraries to ship books to evacuee shelters. Sue Lord writes: “Penny Brown, the Librarian at the Livermore Public Library first came up with this idea when she heard on the news that shelters across the south providing a temporary living environment to those families and individuals displaced by Hurricane Katrina were lacking diversionary reading materials. It seemed like a project that Maine libraries might be interested in and it would provide a tangible way for people to get involved and feel like they were doing something useful in the wake of a tragedy. So far, 23 libraries are on board. One child on CNN remarked on what was the hardest thing to leave behind: He said, ‘I left my favorite book.’”

September 12, 2005

American Library Association, September 12:

ALA President Michael Gorman writes: “While our efforts have focused on helping those libraries and library workers affected by the disaster, we have also received enquiries regarding the impact of the disaster on ALA’s 2006 Annual Conference scheduled in New Orleans. The single most important thing that ALA can do for New Orleans is to hold our conference there if we can.

“It is too early to know whether we will be able to hold the conference in New Orleans, but I want to assure all members that ALA will be holding an Annual Conference next year. Holding the conference in New Orleans will send a strong positive message to the city and nation, and the conference will provide tens of millions of dollars in benefits to local residents when they need it most. If we cannot hold the conference in New Orleans—and we should know this within the next two months—we are considering other locations and will make a decision in good time.”

Chronicle of Higher Education, September 16 issue:

Sharon B. Mader, dean of library services at the University of New Orleans, continues to hope that the Earl K. Long Library survived. From a friend’s home in Memphis, where she has taken refuge, she says she has been looking at online satellite photos of the area, which show that the library is dry. Mader notes that the UNO library had a problem with mold a few years ago and spent perhaps a million dollars to clean it up. Now that the city is under water, she expects to lose a good deal of material and end up with a mold-cleaning bill somewhere in the millions.

Lance Query, dean of libraries at Tulane University, is staying in St. Louis, but he has been in contact with the few faculty members who stayed behind. They have reported that the main library, the special collections library, and several other small libraries located around the campus seem undamaged. The “great unknown,” he says, is the fate of an off-site facility that houses a half-million books, part of the university’s collection of architectural materials, its art collection, and collections from the Amistad Research Center, an archive of research on African-American history. From images on CNN, Query gathers that the facility has taken water, but he is not sure how much.

John Burger, executive director of the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries, has been using email to compile and distribute news from librarians on the conditions of their libraries. He passed on the news that the first floor of the library at Dillard University was under water. Loyola University’s is reportedly dry but threatened by mold. He says he has heard nothing about other institutions in and around New Orleans, such as Xavier University and Southern University of New Orleans. According to his contacts, university libraries in Mississippi seemed to have fared better. Mississippi State University came through unscathed. The University of Mississippi libraries sustained minor water damage.

Kay L. Wall, library director for the University of Southern Mississippi, says the library on the Hattiesburg campus suffered some broken windows but was otherwise spared.

Mississippi Library Commission, September 9:

MLC has these updates to libraries affected by Katrina as of Friday at 11 a.m.

Central Mississippi Regional Library System, Brandon: All branches open and operational.

East Mississippi Regional Library System, Quitman: As of September 8, the Quitman, Pachuta, Stonewall, and Enterprise branches are open. The Shubuta branch has been condemned. No communication with Heidelberg. Director Susan T. Byra’s home is fine, but she is without phone service.

Harrison County Library System, Gulfport: The lower part of the library in Gulfport is completely ruined; the upper area still standing but with some window damage. It hopes to salvage its Mississippi and local history collection. The Pass Christian branch is gone. The Biloxi Public Library is heavily damaged and standing in 4-5 feet of water. The Margaret S. Sherry Memorial Library in Biloxi is in good shape and will function as temporary headquarters. Branches in West Biloxi, Orange Grove, and Saucier only minor damage. Director believes that the libraries in Gulfport and Biloxi will be condemned. While the homes of may staff members were destroyed, the director’s home was not destroyed.

Long Beach Public Library: The building has been condemned.

Pike-Amite-Walthall Library System, McComb: All branch libraries are operational. The Magnolia branch is without telephone or internet service.

Pine Forest Regional Library, Richton: Trees are down everywhere and there is no power or telephone service. Branches in McHenry and Wiggins have trees on the buildings. Other libraries have minor damage. Director Brenda Knight is fine, but she lost a barn and will have no power for at least another two weeks and doesn’t expect phone service until November.

SOLINET, September 12:

SOLINET’s Hurricane Katrina website (follow the Katrina Response link) is now available. It includes:

• Preservation: telephone, email, and web-based support for impacted libraries on a wide range of topics, including collection stabilization, drying procedures for historic buildings, recovery of damaged materials, referrals to recovery services, and advice on setting response priorities.
• Recovery Resources: information about recovery resources, contact information for experts in various subjects, and links to other useful sites.
• Library Needs: a clearinghouse for institutions to indicate what resources they need, such as computers, materials, volunteers, s and for institutions to indicate what resources they can provide.
• Job Bank: a clearinghouse for library and cultural institution staff left without employment, either temporarily or permanently, and institutions offering short term or permanent employment opportunities.
• Grants: information about grant opportunities for impacted institutions and links to related sites. (under development)
• Fund Raising: links to the various fund raising efforts for libraries and cultural institutions.
• Status Reports: a summary of the status of libraries in the hurricane zone. (under development)

These services are not limited to SOLINET members. Information will be added to the SOLINET site as it becomes available.

Beauvoir, Biloxi, Mississippi, September 11:

David Preziosi, executive director of the Mississippi Heritage Trust, writes: “The Jefferson Davis statue is the only remaining item in the first floor of the presidential library. The first floor of the library was the presidential museum and the second floor was the library portion where the Davis papers and other materials are located. Everything on the second floor made it through the storm; however the items from the museum are lost. Several archaeologists will be going down there to do a field reconnaissance mission to try and find any remaining artifacts that may be on the site somewhere.”

AALL LawLibAssist, September 8:

Sue Creech, Austin Satellite librarian, writes: “All Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Library staff from New Orleans and Gulfport have checked in. We are happy to report that everyone survived this disaster. There are property loss and damages, to various degrees. We don’t have all the facts, we wouldn’t know until they have a chance to return to their homes. The Technical Services, Procurement, and Personnel departments of the New Orleans Headquarters Library will be relocated to the Baton Rouge Satellite Library, in the next few weeks. Phone number: 225-389-2990. Reference questions should be directed to the Houston Satellite Library at 713-250-5696.”

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts adds, in a September 9 memo: “The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans is closed and will move its operations temporarily to Houston. It will reopen on September 14 for the most urgent business. The Eastern District of Louisiana is closed, but the majority of the court staff and judges are temporarily in Baton Rouge. Current plans are to divide the court operations among Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Houma, Louisiana.”

Socially responsible Katrina relief, September 10:

The Radical Reference group has posted suggestions and links to aid people in their research to discover socially responsible venues of Hurricane Katrina relief.

September 10, 2005

Society of Southwest Archivists, September 9:

Stasia Wolfe Griffin writes: “I’ve learned from Alfred Lemmon that senior staff, escorted by the State Police, have been able to check on the Historic New Orleans Collection. They were able to move some priority collections off site as a precaution, but generally all is well. Alfred told me that the buildings survived Katrina beautifully and even said that they were staying cool.”

Ann Wakefield writes: “Munters pumped water out of the main office of the New Orleans Notarial Archives, located in the basement of the Civil District Courthouse, September 8. The plans are to remove all records from the courthouse location September 9. Our administration is still working under the assumption that we will get access to the Old Amoco building that houses the research center to allow Munters to secure the window areas and to pump in air conditioning. Considering the age of the records, their minimal or no damage so far from the storm, and the relative costs involved, it was decided to attempt environmental stabilization rather than removal. The hangup now is with the building management, which is presenting some obstacles to this plan. We believe that the head of our agency, the custodian of notarial records, will be able to overcome these obstacles.

“Howard Margot said his waders came in handy September 6 when he and Deputy Custodian Jerry Mouton accompanied the Munters representative to assess the damage. They all took turns using the waders. They found about 6 inches of water in the courthouse basement and began pumping it out. All records on the bottom shelves were wet about 1/2 inch up. The decision was made to remove all notarial records from the basement and to treat them as needed. There are Special Forces military personnel guarding the courthouse.”

Geaux Library Recovery, September 9:

Rochelle Hartman writes: “When Katrina hit, Jason Jackson, King Library, Miami University in Ohio, decided to do something, unlike those of us who stayed glued to CNN for too many days. With the support of his institution, he created what is hoped to be an ongoing online presence for supporting libraries, archives, and affiliates that have been damaged by disaster. There are two components to the project at this time: Geaux Library Recovery: Information Community Disaster Assistance Network. This is the blog maintained by the Geaux Team, and provides a summary of work being done, in addition to posting general information relating to the Katrina crisis. The blog is a public supplement to the Yahoo! group, a working group of volunteers, most in the LIS community, who are willing to help out in some way, from publicity, to making phone calls, to rolling up sleeves and going where help is needed.

“It’s been amazing to me to see the work that can be done from remote locations, through the back channel of blogging, email, IM, and phone. Even more amazing is the generosity of spirit I’ve witnessed in the past week. It’s been a bright spot in an otherwise dreadful week.”

SOLINET, September 9:

Because of the disruption in employment caused by Hurricane Katrina, the SOLINET Job Bank is currently accepting offers of temporary as well as permanent employment—wherever it is available. Any library or cultural institution within the U.S. that has a position to offer may use this site.

Houston (Tex.) Public Library, September 9:

HPL’s McGovern-Stella Link branch has set up a small lab exclusively for the use of Hurricane Katrina evacuees from the hurricane on the Gulf Coast. They have laptops set up for anyone who has fled the storm and needs to check email or file a claim. The Park Place Regional and the Robinson-Westchase branches have opened their computer labs exclusively for the use of evacuees from the hurricane on the Gulf Coast.

Evacuees living at the George R. Brown Convention Center Shelter can visit the Houston Public Library operating at this site. Among the many services provided there are free books, storytimes, computers available with internet access and games for children. The library is located on the 3rd Floor, Ballroom A. This library is stocked with approximately 10,000 donated books for children and adults, along with toys and games. Ikea donated colorful furniture at this site and Target donated some of the toys. The library is currently offering storytime and playtime for children. There are 28 computers that provide internet access, allowing evacuees to fill out FEMA applications and search for family members. Children have access to 12 computers that are only used for games.

Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, September 9:

Government Documents Department Head Lori Smith writes: “Classes resumed here on September 8 and most of our students seem to have returned. The population of Hammond has grown tremendously due to evacuees, utility workers, and military personnel, and the university is anticipating that our enrollment may go up as displaced students from New Orleans look for new schools to attend. It is reportedly difficult to impossible to find a house, apartment, or commercial building in Hammond that is available to rent or buy. Most areas in Hammond have had power restored, but other areas of the parish, such as Amite, are still mostly without power. Gas is hard to find, and people are waiting in line to get into the grocery stores, but life is starting to return to what will now pass for normal.

“Starting on Monday Sims Memorial Library will return to regular hours. We’re seeing lots of folks coming in to fill out FEMA forms, and we’ve lifted the blocks we had in place on some of the more popular email sites, such as Hotmail, so that students and others can attempt to find and contact displaced family members. Until the Federal Depository Libraries in New Orleans are able to resume serving the public, we appear to be the closest Depository to that area, so please feel free to refer people to us for help.”

Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger, September 10:

St. Peter’s-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Gulfport has lost its 2,000-book theological library, as well as its pews, stained-glass windows, and organ. Six of the coast’s 10 Episcopal churches perished in the storm. Along with religious relics, the hurricane also wiped away decades of congregational history. With at least 20 percent of Gulf Coast Catholic churches destroyed, the Rev. Elvin Sunds of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson fears at least a century of sacramental records have been lost. The records keep track of every baptism and marriage performed in each church.

“They date back as far as parishes have existed,” Sunds said. “Those have tremendous historical value.” Sunds expects the destroyed churches have lost their historic statues, crucifixes, and paintings. The sacramental records are typically locked in fireproof safes, but those repositories don’t protect against wind and water. In heavily Catholic New Orleans, churches were instructed to remove their sacramental records and altar breads before the hurricane hit, said Lee Leumas, archivist for the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge. But with such short notice, Leumas isn’t sure how many churches heeded the advice.

Along the Mississippi coast, damage to Catholic churches has been so great Catholic Diocese of Biloxi administrators have yet to assess their property losses. In Waveland, the United Methodist-affiliated educational and retreat center Gulfside Assembly was totally destroyed. Of some 80 Methodist churches in the state’s six southernmost counties, five have been confirmed destroyed. The Mississippi Baptist Convention Board estimates at least 100 of its churches were destroyed or significantly damaged.

Just outside New Orleans, members of the historic Gates of Prayer synagogue in Metairie moved their five Torah scrolls—some more than 200 years old—to the fifth floor of an office building. At New Orleans’ Touro Synagogue, the oldest Jewish house of worship outside the 13 colonies, Rabbi Andrew Busch believes the Torah scrolls are intact.

Birmingham (Ala.) News, September 10:

In Pearlington, Mississippi, which looks as if it hosted a demolition derby run amok, the Charles B. Murphy Elementary School Library is slated to become a shelter today. To achieve that result, the Alabama National Guard’s 877th Engineer Battalion sought to make the library what the rest of Pearlington is not—livable.

September 9, 2005

Jefferson Parish Library, Metairie, September 9:

Director Lon Dickerson gives this summary of how individual library facilities fared, in rank order of damage.

Destroyed or virtually destroyed

Grand Isle branch—reportedly totally flooded (I have not seen it yet).

Lakeshore branch, Metairie—one-third or more of the roof is destroyed; a large window on the north side is broken and on the library floor; one foot of water is in the building; all books on the bottom shelves are completely destroyed, along with lots of others where the rain hit sections of shelves; 35–40% of salvageable collection was evacuated by maintenance staff on September 1 and part of September 2 until the maintenance staff was assigned nonlibrary tasks; most of the remaining collection is no longer salvageable; everything in the building must be removed along with walls, etc.; if structure is sound, the library can be remodeled.

Belle Terre branch, Marrero—two bad holes in the roof resulted in approximately 250 destroyed books, which we removed; sections of shelves are covered with plastic to prevent further damage; maintenance staff was assigned to nonlibrary tasks before the roof could be patched; the building can no longer be entered safely; everything is lost; once gutted, it can likely be remodeled.

Bad damage

Gretna branch—the “new” roof is completely destroyed; computers are damaged or destroyed; everything in the building must be evacuated; the owner of this leased building will be responsible for determining what to do with the building and when.

Live Oak branch, Waggaman—extensive roof damage; there is water damage in children’s and staff area; everything looked salvageable on August 31; uncertain what water and humidity damage has subsequently occurred; status uncertain.

Moderate damage

West Bank Regional Library, Harvey—the meeting room can no longer be safely entered (it’s sealed off); there is water damage along the northern windows and adjoining emergency exit, as well as elsewhere in building.

Old Metairie branch—lots of tiles were blown off the roof; the entrance ceiling is badly damaged; the glass wall in the northeast section absorbed a lot of water and is structurally unsound; the meeting room is being used to hold books evacuated from the Lakeshore branch.

Relatively minor or little damage

East Bank Regional Library, Metairie—sections of various walls and carpet have been or are being removed; dozens of commercial dehumidifiers and fans have made a huge difference in humidity (over 80% yesterday); a/c cannot be used until more of the cleanup has been completed.

North Kenner branch—books in tiny shelves east of the entrance were destroyed by water; no other water damage noted; power line/connection is a serious problem; I will engage Westbank Electric tomorrow.

Westwego branch—minor water damage; significant roof damage; not seen since August 31; current status unknown.

Charles A. Wagner branch—water is in the staff area; lots of water damaged ceiling tiles throughout building; serious flooding stopped an inch or two short of the building; fish were stranded in parking lot; not seen since September 1; current status unknown.

Terrytown branch—water is in the staff area; wet carpet along north wall; everything was still ok when I was there yesterday; unfortunately, neither the wind nor rain got rid of the vivid pink exterior trim.

Rosedale branch—very minor water damage by the north window; not seen since August 31; current status unknown.

Lafitte branch—only very minor damage.

Harahan branch—screwed-shut window was blown open over computers; damage unknown; otherwise everything was still ok when I was there today.

River Ridge e-branch—I haven’t been inside yet; everything looked perfect through the window on August 30.

Tangipahoa Parish Library, Amite, September 8:

Christopher Kuechmann writes: “I finally was able to get through to the administrative offices today. I spoke with Interim Director Lenore Johnson. She said that all of the branches came through pretty well from Katrina. They waited to open until all of the branches had electricity. They have arranged their hours to honor the curfew in effect currently. The Hammond branch lost a big plate-glass window in the front of the building. The branch manager got the needed plywood to board up. I am going to try and speak with Martha Ebrecht yet today who is the treasurer for the Library Board of Control. If they can work with me, I will still plan to move to the parish and start work as library director as soon as possible.”

State Library of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, September 9:

State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton writes: “The outpouring of support for our request for computers has been tremendous. We nearly have what we need. Please put out the word that we have what we need in the way of computers and printers and people can focus on those other states that have been devastated. Tell everyone to pass on the word. We are working quickly to prepare the computers for our libraries and you all have saved the day!”

New Orleans Public Library, September 9:

NOPL Archivist Wayne Everard writes: “There was no water in the Main Library except for the usual slight backup from the sewerage system and a couple of minor leaks evident on the first floor. I was in with Irene and Linda Santi a good bit of the day yesterday. Two windows in the Technology Center were blown out and there was some damage in there, but that was probably good in that it confined damage to that one room. There is no evidence that anyone was living in the building; we suspect that the police/National Guard went in a broken window, looked around and left through the back door. With help from City Hall we got plywood up over the two windows. But the news is very good.”

NOPL Assistant Archivist Irene Wainwright adds: “The New Orleans City Archives, which we hold, is relatively safe. Although the majority of our records (as well as the 19th- and early 20th-century records of the Orleans Parish civil and criminal courts) are housed in the basement of the Main Library, some 18 feet below sea level, the basement remained essentially dry. Wayne Everard, our archivist, and I were able to get access to the building yesterday, along with another NOPL staff member and a representative of Munters. We discovered that the basement sustained no flooding, although there is a very small amount of water in one area, possibly caused by sewer backup. This water caused no direct damage to records themselves.

“The Main Library itself (across the plaza from city hall, about four blocks from the Superdome) came through almost unscathed. Several windows blew out in the area of our Technology Center causing quite a bit of damage there, but the damage is confined to that closed-in room. There is also evidence of very minimal roof leakage on the first floor—most of it missing the books. On the whole, however, the Main Library is in excellent shape. Earlier reports that vandals had entered the building are incorrect. Our branch-run van was looted and we believe another van was stolen from the parking lot, but it is clear that no one got into the building, either to vandalize or to shelter there.

“The NOPL system itself has been hit hard—probably about half of our 11 branch libraries are under water. But these we can (and will) rebuild. The fact that the archives have survived leaves us almost delirious with relief. We are working now to arrange for Munters to stabilize the Main Library building until we can all return and begin the rebuilding process.

“Thank you all for your expressions of concern and offers of assistance. We are unbelievably lucky, and I think I now believe in miracles.”

American Library Association, September 9:

As part of the American Library Association’s ongoing effort to support libraries and displaced library staff in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, current ALA members in the affected zone will receive an automatic, complimentary six-month extension to their membership. Over 850 personal, organizational and corporate members in areas of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will receive this automatic extension. A list of zip codes for eligible members is available on ALA’s Chapter Relations Katrina website. The site is updated regularly and also provides information about ongoing relief efforts. For more information on ALA Membership dues extension, please contact John Chrastka at 800-545-2433, ext 2159.

University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, September 9:

UTA Libraries has developed an online guide to mapping and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) resources focusing on the Gulf Coast area affected by Hurricane Katrina. The website includes informational maps showing available shelter locations around the United States for people displaced by the disaster, before-and-after navigational satellite maps of the Gulf Coast, video and still satellite photography of the destruction, hurricane and weather maps, collections of resources, and a link to a live regional map with information on specific locations and daily updates.

Harris County (Tex.) Public Library, Houston, September 9:

HCPL Children’s Librarian Stephanie Borgman writes: “Public libraries have made a tremendous difference to the evacuees. By far the greatest numbers are being seen in branch libraries where people have flocked for information and referral as well as computer access. Many others have been served through outreach visits by branch staff to the smaller-scale shelters that sprang up all over the area. It was possible to set up a library at the George R. Brown Convention Center, as that was the last and smallest of the four large shelters to open. As recently as yesterday we were still trying to get space at the Reliant Park complex. That effort is now on hold. HCPL and Houston Public Library have worked as partners to try to meet the needs of the evacuees. Independent municipal libraries as well as those in neighboring counties have stepped forward as well.”

South Bend (Ind.) Tribune, September 9:

Sarah Miller, a participant in the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education teacher-training program, has been teaching nine third-graders at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School, a grade school in Pascagoula, Mississippi, serving about 100 black children from working-class families. She evacuated before the storm, and later found out that most of the school’s classrooms were destroyed, but the gym, library, cafeteria, office, and younger children’s area are fine. The school intends to clean up and resume classes in early October. Some classes likely will be in the library and in a nearby convent.

September 8, 2005

New Orleans Public Library, September 8:

Louisiana State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton writes: “The New Orleans City Archives at the Main Library are not underwater and are dry. The camera took pictures at a weird angle and made it look to staff like it was underwater but they are not. A company called Munter’s has been hired by the library to remove them and get them out of New Orleans. They are safe. Someone broke some windows and was living in the library but they did not hurt anything. I am in tears I am so happy. NOPL’s Geri Harris thought all was lost and we are all relieved to know that so much of Louisiana’s history has been spared.”

Notre Dame Seminary Library, New Orleans, September 8:

Library Director George Dansker writes: “Notre Dame Seminary was evacuated August 31 and September 1. I am in Thibodaux. Our rector, Fr. Pat, is in Baton Rouge. Technical Services Librarian Nobue Motley is in Jackson, Mississippi. We do not know the extent of damage to the library, but there was water in the building, especially at ground level. Fr. Pat was able to arrange for many books to be moved to higher levels in the building, especially those that are kept in the rare book vault. We do not know the extent of our flood damage as we have not yet been able to return to assess it. I have been volunteering at Nicholls State University to work with those persons who evacuated New Orleans, and also hope to work as a volunteer school librarian here at St. Genevieve School.”

Ex Libris e-zine, no. 262, September 8:

Marylaine Block makes this suggestion: “There’s one more thing I would love to see librarians do for the survivors. Have you noticed that they seem almost desperate to tell their stories to someone? I want us to listen to their stories. In fact, I’d like to see librarians and historical societies and volunteers collect those stories on tape, digitize them, and put them on the web where the whole world can hear them. This could even be a nation-wide project, with libraries across the country contributing the stories of the survivors who have reached their communities. It would be important for us, as keepers of the histories of our communities. It would be more important for the survivors, though, because to honor their stories is to say to them: Your life matters. And that may be the greatest possible service we could render to people whose experiences during the past terrible week have told them otherwise.”

School openings, September 8:

The Alabama Department of Education has this information on affected schools: Baldwin County schools were open as of September 1; Choctaw County and Mobile County schools are scheduled to resume classes on September 12.

The Louisiana Department of Education reports that St. Bernard Parish schools will likely not reopen this school year; Orleans Parish schools will possibly not reopen this school year; St. John the Baptist Parish schools will reopen on September 12; St. Tammany Parish and Bogalusa city schools hope to resume classes October 3.

The Mississippi Department of Education reports that Leake County schools opened September 6; Canton City and Madison County schools are scheduled to open September 8; Brookhaven schools are scheduled to open September 12.

The U.S. Department of Education has started a website to connect schools and organizations wanting to help Katrina victims.

National Endowment for the Humanities, September 7:

NEH will make available at least $1 million for emergency grants to libraries, museums, colleges, universities, and other cultural and historical institutions in Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, NEH Chairman Bruce Cole announced. Affected institutions can apply immediately for emergency grants of up to $30,000 to preserve books, records, manuscripts, art, and cultural artifacts damaged by the hurricane and the flooding that followed. Application details will be available on the NEH website later this week.

Canadian Library Association, September 8:

Canadians who wish to help out afflicted libraries on the Gulf Coast can send their contributions to a Katrina Relief fund administered by CLA that will contribute to the Louisiana Library Disaster Relief Fund.

Texas Library Association, September 8:

TLA reports that online contributions can now be made to help the rebuilding efforts of libraries in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The association will accept American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover. You may designate which state you would like your donation to benefit, and 100% of your donation will be sent to either the state library agency or library association in that state.

Mississippi Library Association, September 8:

President Susan Cassagne writes: “The Executive Board of the Mississippi Library Association has made the difficult decision to cancel our Annual Conference, which had been scheduled for October 25–28 in Vicksburg. We sincerely hope to reschedule the Conference for a later date, but cannot begin to think about possible dates while so many of our fellow librarians and staff have lost homes, and possibly their employment.”

September 7, 2005

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.

September 6, 2005

Harris County (Tex.) Public Library, Houston, September 6:

eBranch Librarian Grace Lillevig writes: “Our branches are full of evacuees using computers; one branch reported that 75% of its computer users were evacuees. Our Network Services department is doing its best to meet the need and get out more computers to branches and hopefully to shelters. Our staff is already out at local shelters providing storytimes and we are in the process of determining service at the Reliant Center (Astrodome) and other large shelters. A great story that came out of all of this is at one of our branches, a young adult evacuee has started volunteering at the branch shelving books. I am sure that this is but one of a great many stories to come.”

University of North Texas SLIS, Denton, September 2:

Interim Dean S. K. Hastings writes: “UNT has opened its school for any Katrina-displaced faculty who need an office and place to work. We will provide a home for you until your institution is back in working order. Please let our colleagues know that they have a place with us. They can call 940-565-2731 or email hastings@unt.edu.”

Mississippi State Library, Jackson, September 5:

State Librarian of Iowa Mary Wegner spoke with Mississippi State Librarian Sharman Smith (who was Iowa’s state librarian from 1992 to 2001) on Sunday afternoon. Here is what she reports:

“Sharman asked me to thank all of you for your concern for her and for the residents of Mississippi. Sharman and her family are unhurt. Katrina brought sustained 90-miles-per-hour winds to Jackson, where the MS State Library is located. Sharman lost a tree in her back yard, but the storm caused no damage to her house. The new State Library of Mississippi building, which is scheduled to open later this year, was also undamaged by the storm. Sharman’s home was without power for six days, and the MS State Library hasn’t had power or air conditioning since the storm. The State Library plans to reopen on September 6, and Sharman hopes that they will be able to bring their computers and email service back up at that time.

“Sharman says that the damage south of Jackson in Mississippi is terrible, almost incomprehensible, with the full extent of the destruction not yet known. The storm surge along the Mississippi coast was about 40 feet, and the destruction extends from the beach about 90 miles inland. The Jackson newspaper described it: ‘From the air, the stretch of coastline between Biloxi and Bay St. Louis resembles scattered matchsticks, not the stately Southern homes and beach houses that once dotted the landscape.’

“At least 10 libraries are known to have been completely lost, and Sharman still hasn’t heard from some of the libraries. In addition to the libraries which have been totally demolished, many others have suffered extensive damage. Librarians and their extended families have lost homes. There is a tremendous concern about the economy, and the effects of so many people losing their jobs as well as their homes.

“Sharman was touched to learn that so many members of the library community have been concerned about her and about the Mississippi libraries. The needs of those affected are so basic right now that there has not yet been time to plan for a recovery and rebuilding effort.”

East Mississippi Regional Library System, Quitman, September 6:

EMRLS Director Susan T. Byra writes: “East Mississippi Regional Library has seven branches. Bay Springs suffered no damage but is currently without power. Enterprise suffered no damage and will reopen on September 8. Mary Weems Parker Memorial in Heidelberg has not been heard from. They are not letting anybody in to Heidelberg unless they are delivering much-needed supplies, and phone lines are down or circuits too busy to get through. Pachuta is fine and will reopen this week. Quitman is fine, but the staff has no power or water, so will not be in until they can get that back at their homes. Shubuta’s building has been condemned and we will be shutting that branch down completely. All the windows were blown out and the roof blown off the building. There