Newsgroups: bit.listserv.medlib-l
Date:         Fri, 9 Oct 1992 01:02:59 EST
From:         Suzi Holler <FDHOLLER@UCF1VM.BITNET>
Subject:      Hurricane Andrew & Libraries

This message is posted to most of the library-related lists for maximum
dissemination of this important, if slightly delayed, message; please
forgive the duplication.

FOR IMMEDIATE LIBRARY COMMUNITY RELEASE

From:  The Florida Library Association and
       State Library of Florida
Date:  September 16, 1992
UPDATE 4: Hurricane Andrew Effects on Florida
       Libraries and Requests for Assistance

MESSAGE FROM ANNE WILLIAMS, FLORIDA LIBRARY
ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

We have all witnessed the horrible devastation
visited on South Florida by Hurricane Andrew.  Now
we are learning of the suffering of librarians and
their families and libraries.  On behalf of the Florida
Library Association (FLA), I urge association
members and the entire library community to
respond--and respond strongly--to the request for
help presented below.  FLA, in cooperation with the
Southeast Florida Library Information Network
(SEFLIN) and the State Library of Florida, will do all
in its power to inform the library community of the
status of libraries in affected Dade County and to
mobilize resources whenever and however possible.

Please join us in this effort.

                                Anne Williams, President
                                Florida Library Association

SCOPE OF LIBRARY DAMAGE

In Florida, Hurricane Andrew damage to libraries
was limited to southeast Dade County.  Based on
information available to date, the most severe
library damage was experienced by Miami-Dade
Public Library and Dade County Schools.  Though
several major academic institution campuses located
in Andrew's path were severely damaged, there are
reports of only comparatively minor damage to
academic libraries.  No reports of significant
damage to special libraries have been received.
However, the homes of many staff of libraries
throughout Dade County were destroyed or are
uninhabitable.  South Dade and West Kendall
Regional libraries, two of the four regional libraries
in the Library system, suffered heavy damage and
will require extensive repairs.  The worst hit was
South Dade Regional, which lost a large section of
the roof and most of its windows, causing
irreparable damage to the collection.  Structural
damage includes missing walls and fallen ceiling
tiles.  Damage here is estimated at $10 million.  West
Kendall, the newest regional library in the system
-- and the busiest -- suffered water damage to the
collection, furniture and equipment as a result of
roof damage.  The Homestead and Coral Reef
branches will also remain closed until repairs to the
buildings are completed.  Windows and doors were
blown out of the facilities, causing water damage.
Additionally, looters ransacked the Coral Reef
Branch and several other branches immediately
after the storm, causing the loss of valuable
equipment.  Three other libraries, temporarily
closed for repairs, have reopened.  The Coconut
Grove Branch remains closed until electrical power
is restored, September 9, 1992.  In the week
following the hurricane, six libraries were used as
food collection sites for Dade County's relief efforts,
and some non-essential library employees were re-
assigned to county-wide emergency duties that
included collection and distribution of food and
medical supplies.

The Library System's storytellers, "Imagination
Factory," are also busy helping relief efforts by
providing outreach entertainment at several
emergency relief shelters.  The wrecked South Dade
Regional Library has been turned over to the Army
for use as a command center.  The Homestead Branch
Library's grounds are also being used by the Army.
Because of the extensive damage, the Library system
has indefinitely suspended fines for overdue books.
Patrons have been asked not to return wet or
damaged books to book drops.  Bookmobile service
has been discontinued until further notice, and
reduced library hours have been temporarily
instituted.  In an effort to help library employees
affected by Hurricane Andrew, the Library System
is implementing a systemwide food and clothing
drive.  Sixty-eight library employees completely lost
their homes and most of their belongings were lost.
Dade County Public schools suffered severe damage,
according to Sandra Ulm, State of Florida School
Library Media  Administrator; 10 schools were
destroyed or are unusable, approximately 20
received heavy damage, and others received some
damage, particularly from water.  Currently library
media damage assessment and recovery efforts are
underway as teams of library media specialists visit
each facility.  At individual facilities, staff are
struggling to arrest mildew and prevent insect
damage.  Teams report conducting some assessments
while standing in water.  Supervisor of School
Library Media Services, Chris Master, has been
given authority to authorize schools' hiring
additional clerical staff to assist media specialists'
efforts.  As throughout the area Hurricane Andrew
devastated, the real story is the human story that
statistics and even photographs can't tell.  In many
cases media specialists are fighting to save their
collections and restore service while their own
devastated homes and possessions decay without
protection.

 Requests For Assistance - Please do not send books
or other materials unless in response to a published
request.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM

1. 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 (address below) to assist library staff whose
homes were destroyed or seriously damaged by the
storm.

2. Assistance in Replacing Library Equipment and
Furnishings -- Cash donations in the form of checks
payable to:  Friends of the Miami-Dade Public
Library System and noted "Hurricane Disaster"
should be mailed to the main library to assist in
replacement of destroyed equipment.

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

FIU libraries suffered only modest damage but seven
library staff members' homes were destroyed or are
uninhabitable.  Those wishing to assist those staff
members should send checks made to:  "FIU
Foundation / Libraries" and specify "Library Staff
Aid Fund" and mail checks to:

        Dr. Laurence Miller
        Florida International University
        University Park Library
        Tamiami Trail
        Miami, Florida  33199

NEH GRANT ASSISTANCE - Based on material received
from Lisa Fox of SOLINET, The National Endowment
for the Humanities is making available special
grants to assist institutions affected by Hurricane
Andrew.  Indications are that the application
process will be relatively simple and funds will be
made available quickly. Some examples of uses are:
temporary storage of materials; purchase of lumber
and supplies for securing buildings and collections;
freezing, drying, and salvaging collections;
retaining consultants to assist with assessment,
recovery planning, etc.; site visits by conservators
and other special consultants; conservation
treatment of particularly valuable collections;
reproducing damaged items; and phone lines. Any
institution interested in applying should contact
George Farr at NEH at (202) 786-0570.  Potential
applicants may also wish to contact SOLINET's Lisa
Fox at 1-800-999-8558, ext. 233 or Julie Arnott ext.
256.  SOLINET staff are a good source for disaster
recovery information and expertise.

Suzanne E. Holler                           Voice: (407) 823-5026
Coordinator, Online Search Services         FAX: (407) 823-5865
University of Central Florida Library       BITNET: FDHOLLER@UCF1VM
P.O. Box 162666                             Internet:
Orlando, Florida 32816-2666                    fdholler@ucf1vm.cc.ucf.edu