Library Damage Reports

ALA is gathering information on damage to libraries from the state libraries, library associations, library consortiums, libraries and education departments in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.These reports will be updated as further information is available.

Alabama

Public Libraries:

• Mose Hudson Tapia Public Library in Bayou La Batre, Alabama was completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The log building was constructed in 1933 and sustained damage that prevents it from being used again as a public library. All books, computers, furniture, etc. were destroyed with the storm surge that entered the town at 15 to 22 feet. The collection was about 14,000. The library took on at least 6 feet of water followed by black mold when the waters receded.

School Libraries:
So far only one middle school in Mobile has reported severe damage

Academic Libraries:

Others:

Louisiana

Public Libraries:

• The State Library of Louisiana has created a website detailing the damage sustained by public libraries in Louisiana.  Five Parish Library Systems have been greatly affected, and 17 libraries will likely have to be rebuilt.
• Jefferson Parish Library Damage Report

School Libraries:

• New Orleans Parish - Out of 126 schools, 80 are a total loss, 38 are damaged but repairable, and 8 are ok
• St. Bernard Parish - All 15 schools were flooded
• Jefferson Parish - Out of 84 schools, 9 are reported a total loss, 42 are damaged but repairable, and 11 are ok
• Plaquemines Parish - Out of 9 schools, 6 were flooded
• Tammany Parish - Out of 51 schools, 5 are reported "unstable".

Academic Libraries:

• The first floor of Southern University Library in New Orleans was flooded for 3 weeks and have lost collections inculding African-American History, reference, and all books from A-G in the LC classification system.
• Tulane University basement was flooded and lost almost its entire government documents collection.

Others:

Mississippi

Public Libraries: 
The Mississippi Library Commission is estimating public library damages to be $24,000,000 for facilities and $15,000,000 for library materials and furniture/equipment
Hurricane related damages to public libraries in Mississippi by System (PDF)

School Libraries:
The Mississippi Department of Education reports the following:

• Total or severe structural losses: 27 elementary schools, 16 middle/high schools
• Moderate to severe instructional losses with building damage:
  46 elementary schools, 48 middle/high schools
• Total Schools Impacted:
  73 elementary, 64 middle/high schools
• Estimated Expenditures for Library Media Centers:
  Books: $32,455,480
  Additional media materials including periodicals, trade books, and supplies:$6,183,900

Academic Libraries:

Others:

Texas:

Public Libraries: Hurricane Rita damage to Public Libraries

School Libraries:

Academic Libraries:

Others:

The following associations may also have information regarding libraries affected by Hurricane Katrina: 

Medical Library Association

Special Library Association

American Association of Law Libraries