Tsunami Library Relief Efforts

The heartrending loss of life (including library workers) and destruction in Asia and parts of Africa caused by the earthquake and tsunami has touched everyone around the world. ALA President Carol Brey-Casiano has sent condolences on behalf of the American Library Association to library associations and national libraries in the region.

As part of the international effort to help rebuild the libraries damaged or destroyed by the earthquake and tsunami in Asia and parts of Africa at the end of 2004, the "U.S. Library Associations Library Disaster Relief Fund" has been created which will be able to accept tax-deductible donations.

The "Library Disaster Relief Fund" is a joint 5 01(c)(3) organization of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), the American Library Association (ALA), Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE), Association of Research Libraries (ARL), Medical Library Association (MLA) and SLA.

The "Library Disaster Relief Fund" will be working with the efforts of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) to assist in the rebuilding process. Donations can be made by check payable to the "Library Disaster Relief Fund".

Checks should be made out to "Library Disaster Relief Fund" and sent to the Medical Library Association, c/o Carla J. Funk, 65 E. Wacker Pl; Ste. 1900, Chicago, IL 60601-7298.

Below are links to information on the damage to libraries:

UNESCO Response Site

IFLA Response Site

American Libraries Report

Indonesian Libraries

Report of expedition to libraries in Indonesia

Maldives Libraries

Destruction of Libraries Report

Pictures of the destruction of libraries

Sri Lanka Libraries

Tsunami Report and Further Developments

Sri Lanka Creates Disaster Management Committee