Chile Library Relief

Biblioteca Pelluhue, San Javier, Chile

On February 27th one of the most powerful earthquakes in history devastated a large part of Chile.  The earthquake, 240 miles southwest of the capitol of Santiago, and the 150 aftershocks extended over six regions, impacting over two million people and killing nearly 300 individuals.

Many libraries have been damaged or destroyed. Initial reports from 200 libraries have found that nearly 50% have been damaged, and at least six completely destroyed by the earthquakes and the subsequent tsunami.

• Chile's Public Libraries: Rebuilding After the Quake (School Library Journal, May 25, 2010)
  
  
• The National Library of Chile will reopen its doors on April 5. For more information, visit its homepage. ---------  La Biblioteca Nacional de Chile reabrirá sus puertas el 5 de abril. Para más información, visite su página de web. 
  
  
• Quake Shatters Chile's Public Library Services (American Libraries, March 2010)

 

• Public libraries damaged by the earthquake (Youtube video) - Video of the damage left by the earthquake and tsunami that struck the region of Valparaiso to the region of Araucania. 

 

• Public libraries damaged in the Maule Region (Youtube video)

 

DONATE TO ALA’S CHILE LIBRARY RELIEF FUND

• Credit card: Please visit the ALA Development Office page (1. click on the GIVEALA logo, 2. Enter your ALA Login number and password or create a new record, 3. Go to "Fund Categories", 4. Click on "ALA Major Initiatives", 5. Scroll down to ALA Chile Library Relief Fund, 6. Enter amount you wish to donate, 6. If finished, click the 'Checkout' box, 7. Review your transaction, 8. Click on "Add to basket", 9. Click on "Proceed with Checkout", 10. Enter your credit card information, 11. Click on 'Complete Order')

• Mail: Please print Donation Form (PDF file). Checks should be made out to "American Library Association" with a notation for Chile and sent to: c/o International Relations Office, American Library Association, 50 E. Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611-2795

ALA encourages libraries to undertake group fundraising efforts.

 

ADOPT A LIBRARY

The libraries selected representing three regions of Chile affected by the earthquake. We are encouraging libraries, friends of libraries, and other organizations to adopt a library in Chile.  In addition to the three libraries listed below, there are many other public, community, academic, and school libraries that need help.

List of libraries waiting to be adopted.

If your library or group is interested in ‘adopting’ a library please contact Michael Dowling at mdowling@ala.org.

 

STATEMENTS FROM ALA AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

• International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)

• Statements from Library Associations in Argentina and Nicaragua (in Spanish)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS RESOURCES

• Heritage Preservation: Webpage of the Heritage Emergency Task Force with resources for disaster recovery.

• Library of Congress: The Library of Congress has a webpage with resources for librarians on preservation and emergency preparedness and response.

 

 For questions or comments, please contact the International Relations Office at intl@ala.org.


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