ALA, library community support Hurricane Irma response efforts

CHICAGO  – The American Library Association (ALA) and the library community are supporting response and recovery efforts for the libraries damaged by Hurricane Irma.   

“We extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone affected by Hurricane Irma,” said ALA President Jim Neal. “We are supporting the Florida Library Association and Florida State Library as they work with local libraries dealing with storm-related damage. We are also coordinating with other states and the Caribbean islands whose libraries were damaged by Irma."

ALA Members are encouraged to assist their colleagues in Florida and other areas by participating in local fundraising efforts. The Florida Library Association has set up a Florida Libraries Disaster Relief Fund at http://www.flalib.org/. ALA’s Chapter Relations and International Relations Offices will provide additional information as funds are set up for the libraries in other states and in the Caribbean islands.

The ALA also offers a list of resources for dealing with natural disasters at Libraries Respond.