the community eye of the hurricane: gulf coast public libraries’ experiences and needs related to...
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![Page 1: The Community Eye of the Hurricane: Gulf Coast Public Libraries’ Experiences and Needs Related to Hurricane Response Karen Vargas, Michelle Malizia and](https://reader036.vdocuments.site/reader036/viewer/2022081603/56649f355503460f94c531a9/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
The Community Eye of the Hurricane: Gulf Coast Public Libraries’ Experiences and
Needs Related to Hurricane Response
Karen Vargas, Michelle Malizia and Cindy Olney
NN/LM South Central RegionSCC/MLA
October 19, 2010
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The public views libraries as “a first choice, first refuge, and last resort in a range of
emergency and e-government circumstances1” – Bertot et al.
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Hurricanes are the most common disaster to hit the South Central Region
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NN/LM SCR explored ways to support public libraries’ hurricane response
through a needs assessment
©Istockphoto. All rights reserved
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From this needs assessment, the NN/LM SCR developed a plan for working with
public libraries
©Istockphoto. All rights reserved
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Needs Assessment
Methods
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The needs assessment was conducted with public librarians
from Texas and Louisiana
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Phase one involved phone interviews with public librarians
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Phase 2 involved advisory group meetings in Texas and Louisiana
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Findings
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Health care providers and emergency responders need to know the resources
public libraries provide
Shelter ● Information ● Meeting Space ●Internet Access ● Expert Assistance
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Public librarians should know more about health professionals
and emergency responders
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“Is my house underwater?”
“Where can I fill my prescription?”
“Is the water safe?”
“How do I complete this FEMA form?”?
“¿Habla usted español?”
“Where is the rest of my family?”
Libraries are the information centers for displaced victims
“Can I go home?”©Istockphoto. All rights reserved
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Information needs • Local services• First aid• Environmental hazards• Mold control• Mental health
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Cell phone and Internet connectivity was not reliable
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It was a challenge for library staff to protect themselves
emotionally
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The NN/LM SCRAction Plan
©Istockphoto. All rights reserved
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Promote public libraries to emergency responder communities
Public librariesrock during
emergencies!Pass it on!
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Provide opportunities for public libraries to network with emergency responders
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Offer a tutorial called Mental
Health for Librarians During a Disaster
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Offer NN/LM emergency preparedness training and
information through the State Libraries
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Offer a Disaster Preparedness Award
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Develop a buddy system to help public libraries with users’ health information
needs during hurricanes
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1Bertot JC, Jaeger PT, Langa LA, and McClure CR. Public access computing and Internet access in public libraries: The role of public libraries in e-government and emergency situations. First Monday [Internet]. 2006 Sep 4 [cited 2010 May 27];11(9):[about 18p.]. Available from:
http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/1392/1310
Reference
This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, under Contract No. N01-LM-6-3505 with the Houston Academy of Medicine—Texas Medical Center Library.