[Publib] recovering materials after a disaster

[Pomes, Stephen]

Your question reminds me of what libraries did after Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita hit the Gulf Coast in 2005.  Living in the New Orleans area, I
know that the administration of my local public library forgave fines
and fees, and they de-accessioned these lost materials.  Given the
widespread damage, I imagine that this was a common decision for public
library systems in different communities in Louisiana and Mississippi.  
 
In addition, the local public library administration asked that patrons
refrain from making direct donations of books or other materials to the
library.  While being grateful for the community's generosity, they
instead asked that the patrons take any donated materials to the friends
of the library group.  Because many public library facilities were
either damaged or destroyed, initially I wondered about the public
relations impact of this decision.  Certainly, there was a need for
replacement materials, and some of the donations may be useful in that
regard.  One of my public library friends, however, pointed out the
library was concerned that they would receive flood damaged
materials,and that these materials would have mold.  For these reasons,
I feel that they made the correct decision in asking that the materials
go to the friends group.
 

Stephen V. Pomes, Librarian 
U.S. Dept. of the Interior 
Minerals Management Service Library 
1201 Elmwood Park Blvd., MS 5031 
New Orleans, La. 70123 
Telephone: 504-736-2521 
Fax: 504-736-2525 
E-Mail: stephen.pomes at mms.gov 

+++++++++++++++++ 

Opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily correspond to those
of  my employer. 

+++++++++++++++++ 

 

________________________________

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of
brandylaurel7 at aol.com
Sent: Friday, May 02, 2008 9:43 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] recovering materials after a disaster


Good morning everyone,

I am generally a silent observer on our listserv, but today I have a
question.  Our city has recently been hit by a tornado.  The damage was
extensive in some areas, but thankfully, our libraries were spared.  We
had an issue with a patron who has lost everything including borrowered
materials.  Does anyone out there have a policy regarding this?  Issues
of responsibility for materials lost in these circumstances are
sensitive.

I thank you in advance for your feedback.

Brandy Jeschonek
Reference Librarian
City of Suffolk, VA.

Currently reading:  The World Without Us, Alan Wiesman; Peace Like a
River, Leif Enger.
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