April 13, 2010

Hurricane Preparedness & Response for Florida Public Libraries Web Portal Receives Mention in Public Libraries Article

The Hurricane Preparedness & Response Web Portal is mentioned as a valuable resource for public librarians in the feature article in the March/April 2010 issue of Public Libraries. The article by Lisl Zach and Michelynn McKnight discusses information needs during and after community-based disasters and how public libraries are often called upon to provide modified information services in whatever form is most needed by the community. The article states that the Hurricane Preparedness & Response for Florida Public Libraries Web Portal “offers a comprehensive bibliography of materials on the subject that would be useful to librarians anywhere.” 

The portal was developed as part of a $311,440 grant awarded by the Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center at Florida State University’s College of Business to assist public libraries and local communities to better plan for and respond to hurricanes.  The Information Institute has partnered with the State Library and Archives of Florida, directed by Judith Ring, Lyrasis, directed by Kate Nevins, and Florida’s Multi-type Library Cooperatives and public libraries throughout the region as well as federal, state, local and community agencies concerned with Florida hurricane preparedness and response.

For further information on the portal, or for those who have knowledge and experience in dealing with public library hurricane preparedness and response, please contact Lauren H. Mandel, Project Coordinator [log in to unmask] or Charles R. McClure [log in to unmask] at the Information Institute.