5 Ways Libraries Help Communities in the Wake of Natural Disasters

“Hurricane Ian: Cuba suffers complete blackout after storm”. 

Headlines like this are becoming more frequent in our daily news. Most recently, Hurricane Ian has wreaked havoc on Florida and neighbouring states with wind speeds reaching up to 240km/h. 

When Hurricane Matthew hit North Carolina in 2016, it caused 29 deaths and an estimated $10.3 billion dollars in damages. The Branch Library in Cumberland County was not spared from the floods. A Book Riot article describes the extent of the damage: “administrative offices, computer, and marketing services, meeting spaces, and the Friends of the Library book storage. Up to 100,000 books were damaged and had to be thrown out. Furniture, carpeting, drywall, and shelving were destroyed. The building’s elevator flooded and was temporarily out of order”.  

Despite library networks suffering from the effects of natural disasters, they often open their doors again as soon as possible to offer residents access to desperately needed resources.

First and foremost, libraries and other public facilities provide a refuge center for those that become displaced by storms and flooding. In 2012, libraries in New York and New Jersey opened to communities after Hurricane Sandy left hundreds of thousands of people homeless. Residents used libraries for shelter and a warm place to stay until further help arrived.

Community libraries provide free Wi-Fi and communication facilities for those who lose access to these services. People can fill out federal forms and keep in contact with friends and family.

In the wake of Hurricane Harvey which hit Texas in 2017, many Houston public libraries were opened to offer emergency relief services. This included providing entertainment and a sense of normality for communities that had become displaced. Several libraries in the Houston area hosted yoga classes, family-friendly movies, books, games, and crafts.

Storms and floods can cause devastating damage to infrastructure, buildings, and personal items. The sentimental value attached to photos, documentation and family memorabilia means that it can be extremely upsetting when these items are damaged or destroyed. After previous storms, library archivists have been on hand to show people how to preserve and restore such items that may have been damaged in floods.

Predicting which buildings escape the wrath of storms and which ones do not is a near impossible task. Libraries are no different, and the damage to library hubs and resources can be extensive. Despite this, many libraries have opened temporary pop-up facilities and bookmobiles to continue providing their services to residents who need them most.  

Libraries are playing increasingly critical roles in helping local communities recover from disasters. They are finding ways to support patrons beyond their regular services in a way that provides a sanctuary during what can be the most distressing time in people’s lives.

Florida school closures: Hurricane Ian Information (fldoe.org) 

Open shelters in Florida: Shelter Status | Florida Disaster  

24-hour Help Hotline: 661.8068 

Tips on what to do before, during, and after a hurricane: Hurricanes | Ready.gov