From: Brian D Daher <bdaher@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>
Subject: Florida Libraries in Trouble
Organization: The Ohio State University
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 15:15:28 GMT
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]

Thought this might be of interest to the net readers....

Subject: Info on South Florida libraries - FYI

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 distribution.  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.

--
Brian Dennis Daher                                     0 0
The Ohio State University                               |
bdaher@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu                       \_/
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Newsgroups: alt.hurricane.andrew