1. The Community Eye of the Hurricane: Gulf Coast Public Libraries’ Experiences and Needs Related to Hurricane Response Karen Vargas, Michelle Malizia and Cindy Olney NN/LM South Central Region SCC/MLA October 19, 2010

2. The public views libraries as “a first choice, first refuge, and last resort in a range of emergency and e-government circumstances 1 ” – Bertot et al. * ©Istockphoto. All rights reserved

3. Hurricanes are the most common disaster to hit the South Central Region

4. NN/LM SCR explored ways to support public libraries’ hurricane response through a needs assessment ©Istockphoto. All rights reserved

5. From this needs assessment, the NN/LM SCR developed a plan for working with public libraries ©Istockphoto. All rights reserved

6. Needs Assessment Methods ©Istockphoto. All rights reserved

7. The needs assessment was conducted with public librarians from Texas and Louisiana

8. Phase one involved phone interviews with public librarians

9. Phase 2 involved advisory group meetings in Texas and Louisiana

10. Findings

11. Health care providers and emergency responders need to know the resources public libraries provide Shelter ● Information ● Meeting Space ● Internet Access ● Expert Assistance

12. Public librarians should know more about health professionals and emergency responders

13. “Is my house underwater?” “Where can I fill my prescription?” “Is the water safe?” “How do I complete this FEMA form?”? “¿Habla usted español?” “Where is the rest of my family?” Libraries are the information centers for displaced victims “Can I go home?” ©Istockphoto. All rights reserved

14. Information needs Local services First aid Environmental hazards Mold control Mental health

15. Cell phone and Internet connectivity was not reliable

16. It was a challenge for library staff to protect themselves emotionally

17. The NN/LM SCR Action Plan ©Istockphoto. All rights reserved

18. Promote public libraries to emergency responder communities Public libraries rock during emergencies! Pass it on!

19. Provide opportunities for public libraries to network with emergency responders

20. Offer a tutorial called Mental Health for Librarians During a Disaster

21. Offer NN/LM emergency preparedness training and information through the State Libraries

22. Offer a Disaster Preparedness Award

23. Develop a buddy system to help public libraries with users’ health information needs during hurricanes

24. 1 Bertot JC, Jaeger PT, Langa LA, and McClure CR. Public access computing and Internet access in public libraries: The role of public libraries in e-government and emergency situations. First Monday [Internet]. 2006 Sep 4 [cited 2010 May 27];11(9):[about 18p.]. Available from: http://firstmonday.org/htbin/cgiwrap/bin/ojs/index.php/fm /article/view/1392/1310 Reference This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, under Contract No. N01-LM-6-3505 with the Houston Academy of Medicine—Texas Medical Center Library.