Louisiana Library Status Blog

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.

We are open to the public.  Some of the branches have phone and computer issues.  The Main Library has abbreviated hours;  closing at 8pm instead of 10 pm.  The Main Library has sections cordoned off due to water damage but staff can retrieve particular titles from these areas;  no patron browsing.

We feel like we are reliving Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita here in Terrebonne.  We sustained minimal damage during Hurricane Gustav, but we are having severe flooding in the rural bayou communities of Terrebonne for Hurricane Ike.  I do not have any information on 4 bayou branches because the levees were breached or broke in these communities.  Some of the structures have over 5 feet of water.  I know of two staff members who have over 2 feet of water in their homes and have more employees in the bayou communites that I have not heard from yet. 

We will open the main library on Monday, Sept. 15 pending the sustainability of electricity.  There is no Internet service at any of the libraries because the service company lost towers and some of our satellites were either bent or flew off to other places.  We are working with an alternative service provider because we know people will desperately need Internet access after the devastation of Hurricane Ike.

Mary Cosper LeBoeuf

www.solinet.net/gulfcoast

Hurricane Ike Status Report
09/12/08, 11:00 AM

Louisiana Library Systems

Calcasieu Parish – closed yesterday.
Cameron Parish – closed Wednesday.
Jefferson Parish - open.
Jefferson Davis Parish – closed yesterday.
Orleans Parish – opened Wednesday following Hurricane Gustav, closed today due to Hurricane Ike.
Plaquemines Parish - open except for Port Sulphur who lost power again yesterday due to the high winds.
St. Bernard Parish – closed today, tornado warnings.
Terrebonne Parish – opened yesterday following Hurricane Gustav, closed today due to Hurricane Ike.
Vermilion Parish - closing at noon today due to the storm.
Washington Parish - open.

Mississippi Library Systems

Hancock County - closing very soon. Pearlington branch closed yesterday, the town is flooded.
Harrison County - open.
Jackson County - open.
Long Beach - open.

All branches of the Iberia Parish Library will be closing at noon today, September 12.  They will try to re-open the Main Library for regular hours on Sunday, September 14.  All other branches will re-open for regular hours Monday, September 15.

The Calcasieu Parish Public Library branches will close today, Sept. 11 at noon in preparation for Hurricane Ike and will remain closed until further notice.  Although, we are not in the direct projected path of the hurricane, the size of the storm is forecast to impact our area with strong winds, rising tide and possible loss of power to businesses and homes. The Calcasieu Parish Executive Policy Group issued a statement at 6:00 am this morning for Mandatory Evacuation of residents who live in travel trailers, mobile homes, and low-lying areas.  That National Weather Service advises that we can expect tropical storm force winds beginning Friday and wind gusts near or above Category 1 hurricane strength Friday night into Saturday morning.  A parish-wide curfew will be in effect Friday from 8p.m. until 6a.m. until further notice.

The Main Library and East Houma Branch of the Terrebonne Parish Library have power and are now open, but they do not have Internet.  If you need to contact the Terrebonne Parish Library, please call 985-876-5861.

Our power has been restored, and we have no damage to the building.  We expect to re-open this afternoon, Wednesday, Sept. 10.

Pointe Coupee Parish Library is opening for business today!! Staff are all safe.

New Roads…Internet is up. We have A/C and running water. Opening on reduced hours due to curfew (8:30am- 6pm).

Livonia….severe damage. Roof/shingles blown off. Over 6 inches of water in building. Lost over 4,000 books. Lost all computers. EnviroCare taking salvagable collection to clean and store. InStar beginning clean-up and restoration of building tomorrow. Closed for restoration.

Rougon…minor roof damage. No interior damage. No electricity. Closed until power connected.

Innis & Morganza…no damage. No electricity. Closed until services restored.