Dear LIS Colleagues and Friends,

As many of you undoubtedly know, Tuscaloosa was struck by a massive tornado yesterday afternoon.  The destruction is both intense and widespread, but is concentrated in the central and east central portions of the city of Tuscaloosa.  The University of Alabama campus does not appear to have suffered significant damage but is largely without power.  Many of the areas most seriously damaged were popular off-campus housing locations.  There are many photos available at www.tuscaloosanews.com.  The site is slow - the newspaper was one of the sites damaged by the storm.

As of this time, the faculty of SLIS are all accounted for.  Some faculty and staff members' homes have experienced severe damage, but there are no reported injuries.  SLIS alums are monitoring a check-in page for current students, alums, and friends of the School.

University operations have been suspended through Friday and I suspect decisions will be made a day at a time after that.

Danny