Assist Libraries Struck By Katrina

Library staff and board members in the North Country may be wondering how they can assist their fellow libraries that were hard hit by the recent wrath of Hurricane Katrina. A number of Special funds have been established to take on such assistance.

The Louisiana Library Association (LLA) Disaster Relief Fund is now accepting donations to assist school, public and academic libraries with their restoration efforts. Checks may be made payable to: LLA-Disaster Relief, and sent to Louisiana Library Association, 421 South 4th St., Eunice, LA 70535.

A similar fund has been established by the Friends of the Mississippi Libraries, working with the Library Commission and the Mississippi Library Association. Tax deductible donations may be sent to: Rebuild Mississippi Libraries Fund, c/o AmSouth Bank, 210 E. Capitol St., Jackson, MS 39201.

The Texas Library Association (TLA) is accepting book donations to help the Gulf libraries prepare to re-open for business. The Association is accepting book collections to help libraries fill their shelves.

Since it will likely be several months, perhaps even a year or two, before libraries are able to take these collections, the Association has partnered with the Texas Mini Storage Association to collect the books and store them in climate-controlled facilities until area libraries are able to receive collections. TLA is now collecting books, and will ship all donated materials to Gulf Coast states as soon as libraries are ready to receive them. To make a book donation, ship materials to: Braker Self Storage, attn: Katrina Book Drive, 2607 West Braker Lane, Austin, Texas 78758.

Also, the American Library Association (ALA) is accepting donations, which will be distributed to the ALA Chapters (state library associations) in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. To help rebuild these vital cornerstones of the communities struck by Hurricane Katrina, go directly to the ALA’s website at https://secure.ga3.org/03/alakatrina