Libraries Respond: Natural Disasters
Helping United States Libraries After Disasters
If you think the American Library Association can help libraries affected by natural disasters in any way toward recovery, please contact the Chapter Relations Office: Michael Dowling at 312-280-3200 or Mariel Colbert at 312-280-2148.
Disaster Preparedness
Planning for disaster any type or size of a disaster helps mitigate the damage of your collections. The information presented here is meant as a general guide to planning, recovery and seeking federal funding to aid in disaster response and recovery. The steps outlined here are based on current Federal policies, some of which are under review. The ALA has tried to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, however, it assumes no liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in this publication.
- ALA Disaster Relief Fund
- From AL Direct (December 4, 2018) Anchorage libraries affected by earthquake
- From American Libraries (September 14, 2018), ALA, Library community work to support Hurricane Florence recovery efforts
- North Carolina Library Association
- South Carolina Library Association
- Virginia Library Association
- ALA Urges Library Supporters to Help Libraries Rebuild after Hurricanes Harvey and Irma
ALA Resources
Helping United States Libraries After Disasters
Library Disaster Preparedness & Response: Disaster Preparedness Libguide from ALA Library
Disaster Recovery Toolkit from the American Association of School Librarians
Disaster Recovery and Preparedness from Preservation Week (An Initiative of Association for Library Collections and Technical Services)
After Hurricane Katrina ravaged New Orleans, some dedicated librarians volunteered their time to help rebuild another community. The philosophy behind Librarians Build Community is to connect librarians with libraries and community organizations in need of skilled volunteers in order to form meaningful volunteer opportunities and to improve awareness of the expertise librarians possess. The resources developed here are meant to help libraries organize volunteer events to maintain access to collections and develop community partnerships in libraries.
Librarians Build Communities Facebook Page
Tools to help organize volunteer events:
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Complete LBC toolkit (.pdf)
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Customizable LBC flyer (.doc)
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LBC Press Release (.doc)
International Libraries
To help international libraries, please contact the American Library Association International Relations Office at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 3201.
IRRT Free Links: A Project Providing Access to Free Professional Development Opportunities for ALA Members around the World.
Resolution on Library Service to the Community in a Natural Disaster (ALA CD#41 2013)
