[OPLINLIST] News from ALA in re: Haiti

[Hickson-Stevenson, Pamela]

NEWS
For Immediate Release
January 27, 2010


ALA establishes Library Relief Fund to help rebuild libraries and
archives in Haiti


CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA), acting on a resolution
adopted by its Council on Jan. 19 during the ALA's Midwinter Meeting,
has created the "Haiti Library Relief Fund"  to collect monetary
donations to help rebuild libraries and archives that were destroyed or
damaged during the devastating earthquake on Jan. 12.  Donations can be
made by credit card or check through www.ala.org/haiti.

"ALA has always been receptive to helping after a natural disaster.
This fund provides the avenue for our members to do that.  It is one way
that we can help the Haitian people rebuild their libraries," said ALA
President Camila Alire.

Libraries and archives are especially vital to all societies in helping
citizens recover in time of crisis.  ALA members and other library
supporters have a long history of helping those in need, whether at home
or abroad.  ALA collected $500,000 in donations to distribute to
libraries in the Gulf region after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005
and worked with other U.S. library associations to raise $25,000 to
rebuild libraries in Indonesia and Sri Lanka after the 2004 tsunami. 

ALA will be providing updates through its Web site on the condition of
libraries in Haiti and will be coordinating relief and rebuilding
efforts with the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield (USCBS)
http://www.uscbs.org/ ,the International Federation of Library
Associations and Institutions (IFLA) www.ifla.org <http://www.ifla.org/>
and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organizations
(UNESCO) http://portal.unesco.org <http://portal.unesco.org/> 

ALA is also urging the U.S. government, foundations and others to also
provide funding for rebuilding libraries and other cultural institutions
in Haiti.

Contact: Michael Dowling 
ALA International Relations Office
312-280-3200
mdowling at ala.org

 

 

Pamela J. Hickson-Stevenson, Ohio Chapter Councilor to ALA and

Assistant Director

Akron-Summit County Public Library

60 S. High Street

Akron, OH  44326

 

Phone 330.643.9102          Fax 330.643.9160

 

phs at akronlibrary.org <mailto:phs at akronlibrary.org>
www.akronlibrary.org <http://www.akronlibrary.org>  

 

Recognized as one of America's Best Libraries <<<<<
<http://www.akronlibrary.org/5star.html> 

 

The Akron-Summit County Public Library provides resources for learning
and leisure, information services, meeting spaces, and programs for all
ages that support, improve, and enrich individual, family, and community
life.

 

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