Disaster Relief Committee


About the Committee: Charge • Focus • Membership • History • Funding • Activities

Disaster Relief Funds Application
Disaster Preparedness Resources 

Committee Charge

  1. Coordinates TLA's response to all types of disasters that severely affect libraries in Texas;

  2. Raises funds to build the Disaster Relief Endowment;

  3. Prepares and distributes guidelines and the grant application form; determines from the TLA Executive Director the dollar amount available for grant award; and evaluates the application based on a set of criteria;

  4. Provides training and resource materials on the prevention of disasters and on recovery strategies;

  5. Notifies the TLA Executive Board of the condition of libraries experiencing disasters and the grant amount needed to provide assistance; and

  6. Evaluates the effect of the grant award.

Focus for 2006/2007

  • Increase the amount of the Endowment Fund to be prepared for statewide emergencies;

  • Increase awareness of the grants and the online resources;

  • Be alert for disasters affecting Texas libraries; and

  • Solicit photographs of libraries and library workers experiencing and/or recovering from disasters severely affecting library services

Membership 2006/2007

Chair, Jill Zimmerman, St. Philip's College Learning Resource Center-ACCD
Vice-Chair, Marilyn M. Goff, TWU-IHS - virtual library,
Shirley Bowie, Region 4 ESC
Susan Harvey, Del Mar College
Margaret E. Hermesmeyer, Texas State Library & Archives Comm.
David E. Hubbard, Texas Tech University Libraries
Jan Kemp, Lamar University
Kay McBride, Pasadena ISD
Shirley Martyn, St. Mary's University, Blume Library
John E. Palmer, Bryan Public Library
Mary Lynn Rice-Lively, The University of Texas at Austin
Barbara Vick, Abilene ISD
Amanda J. Williams, Central Texas Library Systems
Joyce E. Baumbach, Executive Board Liaison
Jana G. Knezek, President, Texas Library Association
Patricia H. Smith, Executive Director, Texas Library Association

Although membership on the Committee is by appointment, interested volunteers are always welcome to apply.  Please submit a Committee Volunteer Interest Form

History 

Brief chronology of Committee activities:
Created as an ad hoc committee; became standing committee in 2003

1999   First art raffle held: Rosemary Well's The Bear Went Over the Mountain.
2001   With assistance from other TLA units, was able to grant two libraries awards -- C.E. King Middle School Library and the Sheldon Independent School District -- to recover from flood damage caused by Tropical Storm Allison.
2002   Provided award to Alvarado Public Library to assist in recovery from severe flooding; grant used to pay for network cable drops.
2003   Disaster Relief endowment established with the $25,000 raised through the efforts of all those who have helped with the raffles over the previous four years.
    Officially became a TLA standing committee; approved by Council at the 2002 Conference. 
2006   Hurricane Rita damages libraries in the Beaumont-Port Arthur area. TLA, working with ALA and state agencies, collects books to send to distressed libraries. Gretchen McCord, President of TLA, sends out an email request for Disaster Relief Funding and TLA members respond. The Disaster Relief Committee is able to award grants to all nine libraries damaged by the hurricane and who requested funding from TLA.
  • Allan Shivers Library - funds used to extend service hours
  • Beaumont Public Library System/Tyrrell Historical Library - funds used to replace lost collection materials
  • Beaumont Public Library System/Johns Branch Library - funds used to replace lost collection materials
  • Buna Public Library - funds used to repair facility
  • Newton County Public Library/Deweyville Branch - funds used to replace damaged collectin materials
  • Groves Elementary School - funds used to repair facilities.
  • Jasper Public Library - funds used to rebuild collection
  • Lamar University, Mary and John Gray Library - funds used to maintain collections
  • Wildwood Civic Library - funds used to replace damaged or lost materials
Funding

Donations are always welcome. Each year at annual conference an original piece of artwork is raffled to benefit the Texas Library Disaster Relief Fund, created to assist Texas libraries that are impacted by disasters such as fires, floods, and storms. Tickets can be printed off and mailed in or purchased at the conference.  Go to the itsy bitsy gallery on the TLA web page to view the artwork.

Activities

Programs at Texas Library Association Annual Conference:

2005 "Technology Disaster: Are You Ready"
2004 "Before Disaster Hits"
2003 "Disasters - What Are The Odds?"
2002 "After the Storm: Disaster Recovery Strategies"

Applying for Disaster Relief Funds

There is a simple two-step procedure to follow. Funding amounts are relatively small until the Endowment Fund is fully realized.  However, funds may be used for any purpose such as helping staff morale during recovery efforts, receiving matching funding from local supporters, purchasing needed supplies to help with recovery efforts, etc. 

  1. First, notify the current Chair of the Committee that an event has occurred.  Contact information is provided above.

  2. Second,  fill out a  Request for Financial Support.  Simply print off the form, fill it out, and mail it to the TLA office.  Refer any questions or concerns to the current Chair of the Committee.

Applications will be evaluated by the Committee Members on the following criteria:

  1. Extent of damage sustained;

  2. Impact on service;

  3. How the funds will be used;

  4. Availability of public and private funding (or insurance) to assist recovery efforts; and

  5. Willingness to allow library's name to be used in publicity efforts.

Institutional members of TLA will receive an increase in the grant award; institutions do not have to be members of TLA to apply for funds.

Resources

  • Disaster Planning Websites:  an in-depth listing of websites with information on preparation, preservation, emergency response, disaster recovery, and sample plans

  • Disaster Preparation Guidelines: a  printable bookmark that can be distributed at library meetings providing precise steps to take for preparing for disasters and recovering from disasters.