What follows is a message from Sally Reed, Executive Director - FOLUSA
September 6, 2005
| Hello Everyone,
I've just returned from an extended trip out of the country and, though I was certainly aware of the devastation caused by Katrina, I wasn't in a position to work with FOLUSA staff and webmaster to help Friends help those in need until my return today. Sadly, the news only seems to get worse and worse and it is clear we are looking at very long term consequences. We have been in touch with some of our Friends and Board Members in the effected regions and they have made it very clear that libraries damaged and/or destroyed by the hurricane are not yet in a position to receive donations. The infrastructure will, no doubt, take a long time to rebuild and when it has been, I am sure that the need will be great for contributions of money, books, equipment and supplies. In the meantime, the most immediate need will be providing books for those in shelter situations. It will be important to know on a case-by-case basis which shelters need what. To coordinate this information, FOLUSA is actively promoting its "Friends In Need" portion of our website. In the past, we required verification from any Friends group or library requesting assistance that they had suffered damage. We are waiving that requirement entirely for Katrina. To make it very simple for those groups who have needs connect with those groups who have resources to give, just send your request or a summary of what resources you have to offer to bethn@folusa.org. Beth will ensure that a list of needs and contact information is posted on our website (http://www.folusa.org/) along with a list of available resources from groups who want to help and their contact information. In the Longer Term: Please start working with your groups to plan how you might be able to help when the infrastructure is ready to receive donations. You might want to start pulling and storing multiple copies of best sellers in very good condition to donate to libraries in need along with other materials that will be useful (and always remember that these should be in very good condition). If you can find a place to store these future donations, consider boxing them up, writing on the outside of each box the type of materials enclosed (children's books, videos, popular fiction, reference materials, e.g.) and hold these items until libraries and Friends begin to ask for donations. One astute Friend has asked if, given how FOLUSA just printed an article on the importance of giving ONLY to the library for which your group was created to support, groups should now consider giving Friends resources to OTHER libraries. Because Katrina was a disaster of unprecedented proportions, I encourage you in this case to give what you can once libraries are ready to receive. I am sure that in discussing this with your library administrations, you will receive their wholehearted support as well. Normally, resources donated to support YOUR library should go directly to your library and no where else. Sadly, these are not normal times and I encourage all of us to help to the best of our abilities. Sally G. Reed |