Louisiana Library Status Blog

We are about a block from the river.  I just walked to the levee and they are sandbagging.  We have also created a plan in the event the state library takes on water.  One of our concerns is the basement.  So far officials are saying that they do not expect flooding in downtown Baton Rouge, but it will be close.  In any case, we are here to help any library that needs it. We will be available 24/7 via email to me, Diane or Meg.  I have made contact with several libraries that are in danger of flooding and so far it looks like everyone is taking the appropriate precautions and is poised to take further action as it gets closer to the crest date.

Useful information about the Gulf oil spill. 

 Check it out @ http://guides.lib.usf.edu/gulf-oil-spill

Diane Brown

State Library of Louisiana

Down here in Plaquemines Parish, we have begun to help BP sub-contractors be trained by allowing them to take training tests online at our Belle Chasse and Port Sulphur Branch Libraries. The training consist of approximately 30 hours worth of testing which began this week. This has meant that Library Administration had to work out a plan to be able to open the Port Sulphur Branch during closed hours to support this effort. Also, I have had to rotate staff to accommodate the normally closed hours and the testers.

I also offered the Library’s Bookmobile to President Nungesser to use as a mobile E.O.C. With school ending and our normal change in the scheduled routes away from schools only a week away, I thought it best for the parish, the Parish Government, and the clean-up crews to allow them to use the Bookmobile and its’ resources, including WiFi broadcasting, mobile electricity, computers, microwave and refrigerator. If in fact they want to take a time out and relax with some reading material, that of course is there as well.

So far, that is the extent of the Library’s help with the oil spill. Although, we are still exploring ways in which we may become involved because we want to help in any way we can.

Sincerely,
Todd J. Schouest
Plaquemines Parish
Library Director

We welcome your comments on how the oil spill is affecting your library.  Are you getting an increase in out-of-town visitors?  Requests for information on cleaning up oil spills?  Calls for names and addresses of lawyers?  People expecting to be out-of-work because of it?

All Louisiana libraries are invited to participate and share your thoughts and experiences.

Our thanks go out to all contributors to this blog. We have now closed posting and commenting until such time as this resource is again needed.

Our other hurricane resources are still available at:

http://prepare.lib.la.us/

All library branches have been assessed for the Terrebonne Parish Library System. By some miracle, rural branch libraries were not flooded during Hurricane Ike.  The parish is still experiencing power outages; therefore, three branches are not open.  The North Terrebonne Branch will be treated for mold removal.  The library system has limited Internet access with only the main library having service.

Five employees did suffer water in their homes from 4 inches to 5 feet.

Mary Cosper LeBoeuf

Here is the update from Charlotte Trosclair:

The Cameron Branch has been completely destroyed.  She plans to use the Creole bookmobile as the library in Cameron.

The Hackberry Branch had 5 feet of water, so the branch will need major repair.  She plans to use the Johnson Bayou bookmobile here. 

The Lowry Branch had some wind damage.

The Grand Lake and Grand Chenier Libraries had high water in the area, but it did not get into the libraries.

The bookmobiles were in safe places.

All libraries remain closed until power is restored.

Beauregard Parish Library is fine … although it is getting hard to keep track of which roof leaks are new and which are still dripping after being fixed from earlier hurricanes. Additional information on our library and on Beaurgard Parish is at http://library.beau.org/storm/2008 – there are links at the bottom of the page to earlier years.

Although there was severe flooding in parts of Calcasieu parish, none of the libraries were flooded.  Only minimal damage at 3 branches.  Staff will report to work at all locations tomorrow, Sept. 16 and the libraries will open to the public at noon.