Resolution on Rebuilding Libraries and Archives Damaged or Destroyed
by the Earthquake and Tsunami in South Asia
 

The ALA Council observed a moment of silence for all of the victims of the  tragedy at its Midwinter Meeting on January 17, 2004; and

This tremendous tragedy has resulted in damage and destruction to libraries  and archives throughout the region; and

Libraries and archives are vital to all societies especially in helping citizens  recover in times of crisis; and

ALA policy 58.1 (7) objective is “to promote awareness of the importance of  the role of librarians, libraries, and information services in national and international development,” and

ALA policy 8.3 states “When a disaster occurs that affects one or more  libraries, the staff or friends of those libraries are encouraged to contact the ALA for assistance. Such assistance shall include, at a minimum: (1) the provision of information to the public about the disaster, its effect on the library, and where contributions can be made and (2) information to the library on dealing with disasters”, and

ALA Executive Board has established a policy EBD # 12.16 rev.  2004-2005 for reviewing and responding to the destruction of libraries  nationally and internationally; therefore, be it

The American Library Association express its deepest sympathy to library  associations and national libraries and archives in the region; and

That the American Library Association work in coordination with other  U.S. Associations, IFLA and its members, and UNESCO on the international  response to this disaster, and

That ALA publicize and provide information on the damage to libraries in the region to the library community and the public on the importance of rebuilding affected libraries and their collections; and