Service Role

The community counts on normal library service before and after the storm be it book, DVD or Internet use, reference or family programming. Normal service provides hope, re-establishes government presence, reduces stress, returns normalcy, offers recreation and distraction.

Best practices may include:

What is Special about Normal

• Welcoming staff: sets the tone for what is civil in uncivil times. Provides some solace for those whose homes were damaged.
• Family programs: helps children cope and gives parents relief. How about a Fun Day on the lawn?
• Electricity: means a place to charge cell phones, laptops, wheelchairs;
• Library materials: provide recreation and distraction in a stressful period; and
• Internet: provides contact lifeline to family and friends, complete forms, and a source of information.

New Ideas

• Go to new places: story hours, family programming, mobile libraries at shelters;
• Materials loan becomes materials gift: Gift books to children and adult evacuees and visiting responders;
• When things return to normal: Honor special local responders with books donated in their name at a special event;
• Target special groups: temporarily homeless (housing information exchange); evacuees (programs at local hotels); temporarily jobless (job bank, file for unemployment); hungry (file for food stamps);
• Special services: Filling out FEMA forms; Contacting loved ones; Comforting victims;
• Special materials: Books that help children cope.
  • St. Romain, Rose Anne. (2008). Evacuee children and Louisiana public libraries. Baton Rouge, LA: Office of the State Library, Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, Office of the Lt. Governor of Louisiana. Retrieved February 27, 2009, from http://www.state.lib.la.us
  • American Library Association. Association for Library Service to Children. Books to help children deal with hurricane disasters. Retrieve March 19, 2009 from http://www.hcpl.net/kidsite/kidsread/hurricane.htm
  • Temporarily homeless (housing information exchange); evacuees (programs at local hotels); temporarily jobless (job bank, file for unemployment); hungry (file for food stamps);
  • National Association of School Psychologists. Crisis response resources.
    • En español - Crisis de recursos

Flexible Policies

• Public libraries flexibly adjust such policies as ID requirements and proof
  • Alabama Public Library Service Disaster Preparedness Committee. (n.d.). Is your library ready? A guide to disaster preparedness and supporting our communities for Alabama’s public libraries [Electronic resource]. Montgomery, AL: Alabama Public Library Service. Retrieved March 9, 2009, from http://www.ccpls.com/disaster/index.html
  • Miami-Dade Public Library System. (2007). Emergency plan: Emergencies policies and procedures section "J." Miami, FL: Miami-Dade Public Library System
  • Myrick, John Paul. (2005). [Cullman County (AL) Public Library) Services for storm victims (Administrative Memorandum # 2005-03).
  • North Suburban (IL) Library System. (2006). Fast Facts #558 - Library cards for temporary residents.
• Fees & fines, borrowing periods in the face of disaster or evacuee use;

Responder Family Day Care

Lesson 101:

• Want the lights back on and the bathrooms working in a hurry after a hurricane?
• Find ways to be indispensable to those responding to disaster.
• See Houston Public Library Example:
  • A Temporary Emergency Day Care
  • Enrollment Form

Other Best Practices

• Offer programs where needed outside library
• Advertise: What Hurricane services can residents expect from their public libraries?
• Normal Best Service Best Resources