Geaux Library Recovery

Geaux Update

Well...the update is that there is no update. We jumped in with enthusiasm and ideas, during a period of chaos and crisis, and find that organizations are organizing and doing the work that a few plucky volunteers could not.  Jason and I have been talking about what to do with this site. 

One idea is to use it to apply Michael McGrorty's endangered libraries idea.  Maybe a clearinghouse of information for libraries in crisis--any sort of crisis.  ALA chose not to officially support a resolution on endangered libraries, for several reasons.  My thought is that this would be a source for libraries that wanted to identify themselves as endangered.  Mind you, it's still all very much in the brainstorm stage. Since we have this space, we'd like to do something with it. Your ideas are appreciated.  And, if shutting down is the best idea, we'll honor that. --rochelle

Large Generator Available

Generator spoken for!

I received an email from a man in Rochelle, IL who is willing to donate a large, diesel-powered generator to a school, shelter, clinic or other non-profit.

It is in it's own trailer van, with a tank holding 500 gal. of diesel fuel.   We are wanting to donate the use of this generator to some one who can use it.

We are ready to bring it down with one of our semis and we can't find anyone who needs or wants it.  It will take an electrician to hook it up..We feel so bad for the people down there and just want to help.Please help us find someone who can use this...

Please, contact Pat or Len at MapleHurst  Farms.

U of IL LIS Library Offers Unique Assistance

Sue Searing of the University of Illinois LIS Library has made a unique offer to provide research about recovery and restoration to those in the LIS community in need of assistance.  Requests can be sent to  lislib at library.uiuc.edu or via phone at 217.333.3804.

Friends of Libraries USA to Help

Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA) is promoting its Friends in Need program for libraries affected by Katrina. FOLUSA will act as an intermediary for libraries requesting donations. (via Library Journal).

Upon receipt of the above and approval of the request, we will post your need on our site for three months (including one month on our front page). During that time, your library or group will interact directly with any library or group willing to help with donations.

We hope that having a centralized location to post requests for assistance in times of disaster will enable you to get help from your Friends from around the country!

Where to Volunteer

As this crisis has grown and shifted, so has the barely week-old Geaux Team.  Jason saw a need and jumped in.  As the chaos lessens, we're getting a clearer picture of where we fit in. Basically, we see ourselves as an information clearninghouse and supportive community.  We won't be recruiting and organizing volunteers, but letting folks know about where there is need and how they can get involved. From Geauxer Aimee Primeaux of the Northeast Document Conservation Center:

For those of you who would like to volunteer to help with your conservation / archives expertise, your skills might be needed, and you can sign up to volunteer at the Society of American Archivists webpage: www.archivists.org. Click on the link for their hurricane-response volunteer list.

AIC has formed a task force, and while I don’t know if they are taking volunteers, if you are a trained conservator in the LA, MS, AL area, you may want to check out their site and request information: http://aic.stanford.edu/.

Also, FEMA will be launching a “hiring effort” to enlist people to help with historic preservation efforts. People with various skills will be needed. Keep an eye on the FEMA website for more information on that.

Want to Donate Books?

Librarians everywhere want to help libraries and library workers affected by Katrina. Aside from giving money or helping with local needs, if you are hosting evacuees, there's not much to be done yet. As people get back into their libraries, the needs will be identified and that's when the work will start. If you have books to donate, The Texas Library Association, in addition to taking donations for a relief fund, has set up a distribution plan for receipt and distribution of books to libraries in need.  We hope to have word of similar set-ups in other states.

TLA has also partnered with the Texas  Association of Mini Storage to accept recent issue  books that are new or in good condition for shipment to the     affected states at an appropriate time.

Status of Libraries in Gulf Coast Region

Reports are starting to trickle in from libraries, archives and museums in the Gulf Region.  Keep them coming!  Rather than posting every email and report we get, I am forwarding updates to George Eberhardt at American Libraries where they are doing a daily update. 

Geaux Team Gets New Site!

Thank you to SixApart for your kindness and generosity in helping out with the new Geaux account.

Louisiana State Library Needs Computers, Printers

Update 9/8/05:  Terrific response. Need was met! 

LOUISIANA STATE LIBRARY ISSUES URGENT CALL FOR COMPUTERS, PRINTERS
The State library of Louisiana has sent out this call for computer equipment. If you are interested and able to send computers, here is the request from the Louisiana State Librarian, Rebecca Hamilton.

"To all-we are in desperate need of computers/printers.  We are being inundated with evacuees needing to file FEMA applications, unemployment, search for loved ones, etc. and are coming into our public libraries to use the computers.  Our libraries have greatly extended their hours to accommodate the people but they need additional computers and printers. If you can please put the word out that if anyone wants to help immediately, this is our greatest need."

Equipment Specs:
* Pentium 3
* Windows 2000, prefer XP
* Laser printers if you can still get toner for them

Send equipment to:
State Library of Louisiana
701 North 4th Street
Baton Rouge, La.  70802-5232

If you are able to assist them, please let Rebecca know via email at rhamilton@crt.state.la.us to help her know what to expect.