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Federal Depository Libraries: Hurricane Katrina Aftermath

A number of Federal depository libraries were in the path of Hurricane Katrina. While it is too early to gauge the impact of this horrendous storm on those institutions, GPO is committed to helping our depository partners recover in any way that we can. As a first step GPO has taken the following actions:

1.) Effective immediately, FDLP shipments from GPO are suspended for depository libraries in those zip codes where the U.S. Postal Service has suspended mail service (for details see http://www.usps.com/communications/news/serviceupdates.htm) as a result of damage done by Katrina.

2.) GPO is trying to establish contact with our partners in affected areas. Even though it is logical to assume that this may be problematic for some time to come, it would be helpful to this effort if depository libraries affected by Hurricane Katrina would contact GPO when practical to report their situation and the extent of damage caused to their institutions by the Hurricane. Of particular interest is the status of their collection and when they would like shipments continued. Contact should be made through the GPO Customer Contact Center . Use the GPO online help service at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/help/

To ensure that your question is routed to the correct area, please choose the category "Federal Depository Libraries", subcategory "Natural Disaster Issues" (first subcategory choice).

You may also contact the GPO Customer Contact Center at 866-512-1800 (Toll-free), or at 202-512-1800 (DC Metropolitan Area), Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. , EST.

3.) Preparations have begun to help coordinate the sharing of replacements for damaged materials through the National Needs and Offers list found at: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/tools/needs_of/index.html

For a period of time, yet to be determined, FDLP libraries damaged by Hurricane Katrina will receive first priority for any materials offered on the Needs and Offers list. All depository libraries are encouraged to review the needs posted by Hurricane Katrina-affected libraries, after going through their Regional and state weeding procedures, and to be generous in helping the damaged depositories in recovering replacements materials.

Depository libraries that wish to donate or to assist depositories damaged by Hurricane Katrina should wait until such libraries make their specific needs known on National Needs and Offers before offering them publications.

4.) GPO will stay in continual contact with the damaged depositories and work, in whatever way possible, to identify materials and expertise these libraries may need as they recover.

5.) GPO has also prepared the following list of depository librarians experienced in disaster recovery:

Each one of these librarians was contacted and generously agreed to help those of you affected by Hurricane Katrina. The following is a list of subject matter experts and other depository librarians that have experience in disaster recovery:

The following FDLP Coordinators with expertise in disaster recovery are willing to provide support and give advice:

Gwen Sinclair
Head of Government Documents & Maps
University of Hawaii at Manoa Library
E-Mail: gsinclai@hawaii.edu
Voice: 808.956.2549

Jane Debellis
University of West Florida
E-Mail: jdebellis@uwf.edu
Voice: 850.474.2711

Susan C. Field
US Regional Depository Librarian
University of Georgia Libraries (0114)
E-Mail: scfield@uga.edu
Voice: 706.542.0664
Fax: 706.583.0268

Note: Susan has experience with fires.


Jon Schultz
University of Houston Law Center
713.743.2333

Note: Mr. Schultz took the University of Houston 's law library through recovery from its $40 million flooding disaster of Tropical Storm Allison. His website about disaster preparation and recovery for libraries is http://www.TheMasterofDisaster.com.


Daniel Barkley
University of New Mexico
505-277-7180
barkley@unm.edu

6.) GPO is collaborating with the FDLP community to revise and consolidate the Federal Depository Library Manual and the Instructions to Depository Libraries. A new chapter in this revised manual is on Disaster Recovery.

7.) GPO is also offering an educational program on disaster recovery at the 2005 Fall FDL Conference & Depository Library Council Meeting in Washington, D. C. 16-19 October, 2005. The agenda is available at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fdlp/events/fall_05_agenda.pdf

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