On October 23, 2015, Southern California Gas Co. discovered a gas leak at the Aliso Canyon gas storage facility, which was pouring up to 1,200 tons of methane into the air daily. Residents reported health problems such as nosebleeds, nausea, headaches, stomach aches, and respiratory issues. Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency on … Continue reading Providing Calm in the Chaos
Vanuatu Churning in the South Pacific, Category 5 Cyclone Pam made a direct hit on the island nation of Vanuatu, March 12—14, 2015. Advance preparations helped alleviate much of the damage, but many school libraries were destroyed across the archipelago. Due to its proximity to Vanuatu, the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) connected with … Continue reading ALA Partners to Help Restore and Build
This post is the sixth of a six-part series commemorating libraries and librarians 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. Yet Howard-Tilton reopened the same day classes resumed at Tulane in January 2006. “It was a little rocky that first semester,” says Corrigan. “The first day we brought staff back we had a glitch and didn’t have power … Continue reading The “Landmark Undertaking” of the Tulane Libraries Recovery Center
This post is the fifth of a six-part series commemorating libraries and librarians 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. The city built a new facility—renamed City of Bayou La Batre Public Library—at a new location approximately two miles north in Irvington, that opened in early 2007. “The new library is far enough away that, even if we … Continue reading Following Up with Bayou La Batre
This post is the fourth of a six-part series commemorating libraries and librarians 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. More than 50 people in Hancock County died as a result of Hurricane Katrina, and Thomas believes that’s because many had stayed in structures that had withstood Camille. “There’s a saying around here: Camille killed more people the second … Continue reading Coming Together as One Mississippi
This post is the third in a six-part series commemorating libraries and librarians 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. “That was my first year as a librarian,” says Jeanne Tagge, library media specialist and art teacher at the school. “I had a library for three weeks, and then it was months without a library.” Katrina had … Continue reading Pineville Elementary Rebuilds After Katrina
In this six-part series, American Libraries looks back at the stories of libraries and librarians in the 10 years since Katrina. Reflecting on our October 2005 coverage, we remember the librarians who provided services in extraordinary circumstances. We recall the libraries that recovered because of the generosity of others. While Katrina can be a difficult topic for those … Continue reading 10 Years After Katrina: Commemorating Libraries and Librarians
This post is the second in a six-part series commemorating libraries and librarians 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. “With Hurricane Andrew in 1992 it was more about, ‘Let’s save the books.’ Katrina was the first real storm post-internet,” says Hamilton. Hamilton and her staff got to work immediately, creating and hosting a website of resources for … Continue reading Business Continuity Over Collections Recovery
This post is the first in a six-part series commemorating libraries and librarians 10 years after Hurricane Katrina. “I can’t say enough, how I felt personally, when the American Library Association came,” says Haddican, who was working in the IT department of Jefferson Parish Library (JPL), headquartered in Metairie, Louisiana, at the time. She commends … Continue reading Millions in Damage at Jefferson Parish Library
The 9th edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual, edited by Trina Magi with Martin Garnar for the American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom, has been completely recast from earlier editions. The policies and guidelines; essays on issues, principles, and law; and practical help all remain. Added are information on copyright, tips for responding to … Continue reading Keeping up with continuing education
A pretty typical moment for most librarians, Diggs says, except that Tuesday morning, April 28, was no typical day. Just 12 hours before, rioting had erupted across the street from the Pennsylvania Avenue branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, when protests against the high-profile death of Baltimore resident Freddie Gray turned violent. As a … Continue reading Libraries Respond to Community Needs in Times of Crisis
The voice on the phone sounded exhausted. “I have lost my life’s work,” the man said. He was an artist who had his paintings stored in a basement somewhere in Lower Manhattan in New York City. It was November 2, 2012, four days after Hurricane Sandy hit the New Jersey coast, and the call came … Continue reading To Protect and Preserve
