[ILL-L] loaning materials after Katrina.

[Jen Stutesman]

Sarah wrote:
> So I hope that all of you who think the borrowing library should pay up no
> matter what will think about us and all the other libraries who had it even
> worse and be kind.  You just cannot imagine evacuating 100,000 items in 95
> degree heat with no AC by hand, by staff in 4-6 inches of disgusting roof
> drainage.  Then we spent months trying to sort the dang stuff and weed,
> etc.  Then the heartbreak of having to do it again, in August, again with
> no AC in the storage facility.  **snip**  I
> hope none of you ever have to go through what the people on the Gulf Coast
> went through, it still breaks my heart to see the destruction, the cities
> and homes that are still not fixed the FEMA trailers still in the
> driveways. 
>
>   
Hi Sarah,
Yes, I can imagine. I grew up in Sarasota, FL, and lived in Orlando for 
several years, and (in my previous life) worked through several storms 
in which the A/C and power went out, and after 16 hours straight in a 
chair answering phones, one is forced to try and get four hours sleep in 
a stifling apartment with all spoiled food and no fresh water, except 
what you've gotten ahead of time; flooding everywhere, streets closed, 
mosquitoes and looting. You can't even open your doors and windows (that 
are boarded up) to get some air. It's hard to explain unless you've been 
in it. My folks have been back to New Orleans several times with their 
disaster team (and they're in their 70s!) and they say it's 
heartbreaking how little has been done. They say the coast where the 
casinos are is looking better, though. (No surprise there!)

I can only imagine what it was like to evacuate materials in 6 -12 
inches of mucky water. I think you need to congratulate yourself that 
you're as far as you are, loaning materials already! (BTW, my folks went 
to four storms in 2005 - Dennis, Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.)
-jen

> -- 
> "Now, when I read constantly about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that the door is closing and that American society has found one more way to destroy itself.",Isaac Asimov, "I, Asimov", Doubleday, 1994
> Jen Stutesman
> Manager, Circulation, ILL, and Media
> Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska
> 310 Tanana Dr, Fairbanks, AK 99709
> 907-474-2676