Library community comes together to assist displaced Hurricane Katrina library staff

Contact: Macey Morales


ALA PR Coordinator


312-280-4393


mmorales@ala.org



For Immediate Release


September 7, 2005

Library community comes together to assist displaced


Hurricane Katrina library staff

CHICAGO) In response to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, members of the library community have begun to work with the Louisiana Library Association in an effort to assist displaced library staff. Over 60 concerned library staff have already come forward to assist displaced library workers by offering housing, jobs, and the cost of transportation.

Those interested in providing housing (southeast region preferred) or assisting with transportation costs should provide the following information:

  • Name
  • City and State
  • Phone numbers
  • E-mail address
  • Brief description of the space that would be available free of charge to displaced library staff
  • Number of people that can be accommodated
  • If pets or children welcome
  • Smoking or non-smoking
  • Handicapped accessible / or close to public transportation
  • Willingness to help with transportation
  • Other comments

Completed information should be returned to
hurricanehelp@lexpublib.org.

The Lexington Public Library is maintaining a database of the information provided, and will forward it to Louisiana State Librarian Rebecca Hamilton, who is in direct contact with displaced library workers. The Southeastern Library Association and libraries in the SOLINET Network are also supporting the project.

Members can also help with other types of donations. Hundreds of refugees are turning to libraries on the outskirts of New Orleans and surrounding areas in an effort to contact family or to find employment via the Internet. Internet access demand is far greater than the computer resources available, so libraries in the area are accepting computer donations. Louisiana Libraries will also be accepting books at a later date. Those interested in donating computers, printers, ink cartages or books may e-mail Rebecca Hamilton at
rhamilton@crt.state.la.us.

A Louisiana Library Disaster Relief Fund has been established, and monetary donations to assist school, public, and academic library restoration efforts in Southeastern Louisiana can be sent payable to: LLA-Disaster Relief, 421 South 4th Street, Eunice, LA 70535.

For individuals wishing to contribute directly to general relief efforts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a list of agencies accepting donations at its Web site,
www.fema.gov, under "how to help."

Further information on how ALA members can assist in library reconstruction efforts will be posted to the ALA Web site in the coming days. For more information on how the disaster has affected libraries visit
www.ala.org/katrina.