The following appeared today at the ALA web site.

-- Mitch
p.s. sorry if this is a duplicate mailing to some of you.

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News

Contact:  Larra Clark
ALA Media Relations Manager
312-280-5043
lclark@ala.org
For Immediate Release
September 1, 2005

Statement from ALA President Michael Gorman  on impact of Hurricane Katrina

(CHICAGO) The following statement has been issued by American Library
Association (ALA) President Michael Gorman:

The American Library Association (ALA) is deeply concerned about the
welfare of the people and communities along the Gulf Coast affected
by Hurricane Katrina. We are saddened by the tragic loss of life and
widespread damage to homes and communities.

The Chapter Relations Office, which serves as the lead unit in ALA in
gathering information on disasters in the United States, already has
contacted ALA chapters in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi to get
information on damage to libraries in the region.  We have just
learned that a Louisiana Library Disaster Relief Fund has been
established, and monetary donations to assist school, public, and
academic library restoration efforts in Southeastern Louisiana can be
sent payable to: LLA-Disaster Relief, 421 South 4th Street, Eunice,
LA  70535.

American Libraries also is compiling news coverage of library impacts
at www.ala.org/alonline. Since many residents, including librarians,
library students, library educators and library workers, had
evacuated the area and may not be able to return for a few days or
weeks, it may be a while before we have a full assessment of the
damage.

For individuals wishing to contribute directly to general relief
efforts, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides a
list of agencies accepting donations at its Web site, www.fema.gov,
under "how to help."

While work on mitigating and monitoring the terrible human tragedy
must and should take precedence, the ALA also is monitoring the
situation in New Orleans as it relates to planning for the ALA Annual
Conference scheduled for June 22-28, 2006. We will provide updates on
affected libraries, library reconstruction efforts and the 2006 ALA
Conference on the ALA home page as we receive information in the
coming weeks.

AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
50 E. Huron Chicago, IL 60611 Call Us Toll Free 1-800-545-2433

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  _^_                                                 _^_
(___)-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ( ___ )
|   |                                               |   |
|   |     Mitch Turitz, Serials Librarian           |   |
|   |     San Francisco State University Library    |   |
|   |     Past President,                           |   |
|   |     SFSU California Faculty Association       |   |
|   |     voice: (415) 338-7883                     |   |
|   |     CFA:   (415) 338-6232                     |   |
|   |     FAX:   (415) 405-0394                     |   |
|   |                                               |   |
(___)-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-==- ( ___ )
   V                                                   V
           http://www.cfasf.org   (SFSU web site)
                   cfasf@igc.org) or Mitch Turitz (x. 87883; turitz@sfsu.edu)
                        &
           http://www.calfac.org/  (CFA State-wide web site)