Approved-By:  Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <LIBPACS@UHUPVM1.BITNET>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.pacs-l
Date:         Tue, 1 Sep 1992 08:44:48 CDT
From:         John Iliff <jiff@well.sf.ca.us>
Subject:      South Florida Disaster

----------------------------Original message----------------------------
FYI: Attached is the current status of libraries in the South
Florida disaster area. This report was compiled by David Whisenant
of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium:

HURRICANE ANDREW EFFECTS ON FLORIDA LIBRARIES
AND REQUESTS FOR HELP

The following are excerpts of a bulletin sent to various members
of the Florida library community for general distrubution.  All
information given in this message is current as of Friday, August
28, 1992 and is preliminary.  A full and complete account of
library damage will have to await a complete assessment.  More
complete information may be provided as it becomes available.


A special thanks goes to Anne Williams, President of the Florida
Library Association and Elizabeth Curry of the Southeast Florida
Library Information Network (SEFLIN) for making this information
available. Both are currently dedicated to getting the word out on
the situation of the libraries in Dade County.

DADE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM -- Based on description provided
by Director Ron Kozlowski.

Damage Report - The West Kendall Regional, Homestead Branch, and
South Dade Regional Libraries were seriously damaged, and possibly
destroyed.  Library personnel have not been allowed on Key
Biscayne, but it is presumed that the Key Biscayne Branch Library
is seriously damaged or destroyed as well.
Damage estimates are currently at $19 million and rising.

Restoration of Library Service - The Main Library will resume
normal 8 to 5 staff working hours on Monday, August 31st.  The
library will be opened to the public from 9 to 4.

Request for Assistance - Director Ron Kozlowski has issued an
appeal for the following types of assistance:

--- Assistance to staff members who have lost their homes.  Cash
donations in the form of checks payable to Miami-Dade Public
Library Staff Association should be mailed care of the main library
to assist library staff whose homes were destroyed or damaged by
the storm.

--- Assistance in replacing library equipment and furnishings.
Cash donations in the form of checks payable to Miami-Dade Public
Library System should be mailed to the main library to assist in
replacement of destroyed equipment.

--- Children's Books.  Children's books are needed to serve young
people in communities where libraries were destroyed.  These should
be mailed to the main library.  It has been suggested that these
materials not be sent for a couple of weeks because of possible
space problems.

The main library address is:

Miami-Dade Public Library System
Disaster Assistance
101 West Flagler Street
Miami,  FL  33130-1523


ST. THOMAS UNIVERSITY
No damage to the library, but they do not have electricity or air
conditioning.  They hope to have power by Monday.  Staff will
report to work on Monday.  Target date for library to be open is
September 14.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Roof of the library sustained damage, as did several windows.
Therefore, the library is facing some water damage.  Currently, no
power or air conditioning.  Staff is to report to work on Monday.
The computer center fared the storm OK, but is having
telecommunications problems.  The university will begin classes on
Sept. 14th, but no word as to when the library will open.

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
FIU - North Campus is OK.  FIU - University Park has damage, but
has not had the manpower to do an assessment yet.

MIAMI-DADE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
No word as of yet on the status of any of their campuses,
especially the Homestead Campus.


****INTERLIBRARY LOAN******

SEFLIN is advising libraries not to request interlibrary loan from
libraries in Dade County until disaster recovery has made more
progress.
It may also be a good idea not to send returned items to any of
these libraries for the next few weeks as well.  Thank you for your
cooperation.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU