Volume 2005, Issue 3
October 13, 2005

Community Involvement

IIa staff at Barksdale, Cannon, Eglin, and Moody AFB libraries provided assistance following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Barksdale: We actively assisted displaced evacuees who used our computers to search for information about families, homes, employment, etc.  Our computer use increased dramatically for a time, but has fallen back down to almost normal levels as people either went home (or closer to home) and/or went to other states to stay with relatives “for the duration.”  For a while, there was a sense of community among those evacuees who were here.  The entire situation was a very humbling experience for all of us.

Cannon: We were a site collection point for donations.  We accepted children’s toys, clothes, and other items.  We sorted, boxed, and delivered them to the Clovis location for shipping to Baker, LA.

Eglin: It was very telling that the Library — not the Family Support Center — was the first stop for many people who came to Eglin. We made a reference handout of web sites and phone numbers for the most requested information, such as searching for relatives and checking road conditions. We directed folks to Base services and helped them use our computers to register for assistance, file insurance claims, pay bills, etc. We created a reference binder covering everything from local schools to FEMA to directions to the local Red Cross.

 Moody: Moody helped customers who were evacuated from Keesler AFB and other areas of Mississippi. They used our phones and computers to get in touch with family and friends. Some airmen here had more than a couple of family members evacuated from the gulf area. We took donations of books and other items for local evacuees and and for a drop-off site for transfer to Mississippi.

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