Hurricane Sandy: UPDATE on Status of Libraries, Reporting about Libraries
Links to news stories, rumor control, recovery info for libraries, response from library associations, and more.
- NN/LM Emergency Preparedness & Response Toolkit: http://nnlm.gov/ep/
- Planning For the Next Service Disruption: http://nnlm.gov/ep/2012/11/06/planning-for-the-next-service-disruption
The Toolkit is the best source of information for libraries affected by a disaster and includes NN/LM disaster plans. The focus is on continuity of operations (COOP) and planning/recovery for events that affect buildings, collections, services and library staff.
LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS
- American Libraries Association, http://www.ala.org/
- Helping United States Libraries After Disasters: http://www.ala.org/offices/cro/getinvolved/helpinglibraries
- Libraries Weather the Superstorm: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/11042012/libraries-weather-superstorm
- Medical Library Association: https://www.mlanet.org/
NEWS STORIES
- “New York City Libraries Relatively Unscathed; New Jersey Still Taking Stock” [published Nov 1, updated Nov 6]: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/11/industry-news/new-york-city-libraries-relatively-unscathed-new-jersey-still-taking-stock/
This article also lists numerous news stories related to libraries and Sandy.
- “Libraries Respond to Hurricane Sandy, Offering Refuge, WiFi, and Services to Needy Communities”: http://www.slj.com/2012/11/featured/libraries-respond-to-hurricane-sandy-offering-refuge-wifi-and-services-to-needy-communities/
- “In Sandy’s Aftermath, School Librarians Support Patrons, Communities, and One Another”: http://www.slj.com/2012/11/librarians/in-sandys-aftermath-school-librarians-support-patrons-communities-and-each-other/
- “Kids book it to the Westwood Library after Hurricane Sandy”: http://www.northjersey.com/news/176999661_Kids_book_it_to_the_Westwood_Library_after_Hurricane_Sandy.html
- “Hurricane Sandy Revealed Some Huge Problems Tech Founders Need To Start Solving” – check out the comments about the Far Rockaway public library staff: http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-sandy-reveals-new-startup-opportunities-2012-11
STATE BY STATE
Only NJ and NY state libraries and library associations have Sandy-related info.
- New York Public Library: status of all locations http://www.nypl.org/locations
- New Jersey Library Assn., http://njla.org/, has photos, http://www.flickr.com/groups/njlasandyrecovery/.
- New Jersey State Library, news and spreadsheets of libraries’ open/closed status: http://www.njstatelib.org/news
- Metropolitan New York Library Council, http://metro.org/articles/, has news items on “Surveying the Effects of Sandy on Libraries, Archives, and Museums”; “Disaster Recovery Resources.” The Council reopened on Nov 5.
- New York State Library: “Recovery from 2012 Hurricane Storm Damage” http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/libdev/12storms.htm
GETTING IT RIGHT
While so many are working to disseminate accurate information, it’s interesting to ponder why and how FAKE information is passed along. This blog entry lists web sites and stories about misinformation on Sandy: http://blog.schoollibraryjournal.com/neverendingsearch/2012/11/04/sandy-and-media-literacy/
Hurricane Sandy–Rumor Control: http://www.fema.gov/hurricane-sandy-rumor-control
Submitted by Cindy Love
Disaster Information Management Research Center
Specialized Information Services Division
National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892-5467
