HomeALA Creates Adopt a Library Program to help Gulf region librari

Contact: Michael Dowling
Director 
ALA Chapter Relations Office
         312-280-3200
mdowling@ala.org

For Immediate Release
September 14, 2005                                                                                    

ALA Creates 'Adopt a Library' Program to help
Gulf region libraries recover and rebuild

(CHICAGO) While cleanup efforts begin in Louisiana and Mississippi, the American Library Association (ALA) continues its mission to lend support to devastated libraries in the Gulf Coast region. The ALA's Chapter Relations Office has established an "Adopt a Library" program to provide assistance to libraries damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. 

The program will provide an opportunity for U.S. libraries of all types to adopt a library in the Gulf Coast.  The ALA will collect information from libraries that need assistance, and will connect those libraries with others that can provide relief.  Contributing libraries are asked to lend support in the way of books, computers, fundraising and volunteers.

Libraries interested in adopting a library may visit ALA's Chapter Relations Office Web site at http://www.ala.org/katrina/adopt  and complete a participation form.

ALA's Chapter Relations Office serves as the lead unit in ALA that gathers information on library disasters in the United States, and has been in constant contact with ALA chapters in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, and continues to gather information on damage to libraries in the region. .

Information inquires should be directed to Michael Dowling, director of ALA Chapter Relations Office at 312-280-3200 or mdowling@ala.org.

For updates on the relief efforts for libraries affected by Hurricane Katrina please visit ALA's Hurricane Katrina Library Relief Web site at http://www.ala.org/katrina