From: Branciforte, Robert
[mailto:branciforte@xxxxxxxxxx] Public Libraries
and Hurricane Response: Eppes Lecture/Panel Discussion February 20, 2008
Public Librarians’ Response To Hurricanes:
Lessons, Issues and Strategies
An Eppes Lecture/Panel Discussion Rebecca Mitchell, Director, Alabama Public Library
Service Background
These
five experts have had "hands–on" experience in assisting libraries to
plan for and respond to hurricanes. As such they are assisting the Information
Institute in completing a study that will identify public library best
practices in hurricane preparedness and response, create a web portal to
organize and access a broad range of information that can be of assistance to
public librarians and local communities regarding hurricanes, and provide
training to public libraries for how best to use this website and the various
materials generated by the study. Detailed background information about the
study, its goals, funding, activities, can be found at: Public Library
Hurricane Preparedness and Response. Topics
to be Discussed
·
Lessons
from recent hurricanes in Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida ·
Roles
of public libraries in hurricane ·
Rebuilding
libraries and community infrastructure ·
Local
and state politics in hurricane preparedness and response ·
Integrating
public library preparedness and response with the local community ·
Coordinating
public library response with other emergency management services ·
The
role of the state library in support and assisting communities and public
libraries ·
Strategies
for how public libraries can be better prepared to assist their community ·
Audience
question/answers Directions:
Information
Institute Location Additional
Information
The program will also be webcast with access instructions to be
announced on the College of Information web site.
Contact Dr. Charles R. McClure, Director, and Francis Eppes Professor of
Information Studies cmcclure@xxxxxxxxxxx
for additional information. About
the Speakers
Rebecca
Mitchell (rebecca.mitchell@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx)
is the Director of the Alabama Public Library Service, (APLS) http://www.apls.state.al.us, a position
she was appointed to in January 2002. Mitchell is a native of Mississippi. She
has a library degree from the University of Mississippi and an MLS from the
University of Alabama. Mrs. Mitchell has more than 35 years professional experience
in libraries, including academic, public, school, medical and state libraries.
Under her direction of the State Library, (APLS) the state library has
developed its services to include information technology circuit riders, that
work directly with the 213 public libraries in the state of provide technology
support for public libraries at no cost to the individual library. Alabama
under her direction was the first state to offer statewide free tutoring to its
students. Judi
Ring (jring@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) assumed the role
of State Librarian of Florida http://dlis.dos.state.fl.us/index.cfm
in January of 2003. She came to Tallahassee in 2001 as Deputy State Librarian
from Fort Myers, FL. With a Masters degree in Library Science from Clarion
University of PA, Judi worked for over 20 years in public libraries. Originally
from Erie, PA where she worked in the Erie County Library System, Judi held
progressively more responsible positions until 1995 when she became Library
Director. Moving to Fort Myers in 1998, she assumed the role of Deputy Library
Director at the Lee County Library System until moving to Tallahassee and
becoming the State Librarian. Peggy
D. Rudd (prudd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) has served as
the Director and Librarian of the Texas State Library and Archives Commission http://www.tsl.state.tx.us since October
1999. Prior to her return to her native state of Texas, Peggy served as the
Chief of the Bureau of Library Development at the State Library of Florida from
1994 to 1999. Between 1988 and 1994, Peggy served as the Assistant Director for
Planning, Evaluation, and Research in the Library Development and Networking
Division of the Library of Virginia. Prior to that time, Peggy worked for five
years with the Northeast Texas Library System, three years with the Central
Texas Library System, and five years with the Austin Public Library. She began
her library career in the Undergraduate Library at the University of Texas at
Austin. Mary
Ellin Santiago (msantiago@xxxxxxxxxxx), Project Manager
of the Gulf Coast Library Project managed by SOLINET funded by the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation www.solinet.net/gulfcoast.
Currently working to rebuild public libraries in the 21 communities along the
MS and LA Gulf Coast impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Gulf Coast
Project has three goals: Building temporary libraries, administering planning
grants, and restoring PAC's to the participant library communities. Mary Ellin
has 25 plus years experience working with libraries across the United States.
Her career has taken her from a bookmobile librarian in rural NJ to a VP of
Sales for Proquest/Voyager-each opportunity providing the varied experiences
needed to meet the demands of this unique and rewarding project. Sharman
Smith (sharman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx), Executive Director
of the Mississippi Library Commission http://www.mlc.lib.ms.us,
directed the design/construction of a new $13 million facility; worked closely
with libraries affected by Hurricane Katrina; and led development of a public
library system accreditation program. Smith was State Librarian of Iowa
creating a statewide library information network; directing the $20 million
restoration of the 100 year old state library building; and securing state aid
for public libraries. Smith has consulted nationally and internationally on
library construction, statewide library consortia and library advocacy. She has
also served as director of a multi-county public library system and a municipal
library. Bob
Branciforte Communications
Coordinator FSU
College of Information branciforte@xxxxxxxxxx
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