Hurricane Katrina and the Jackson George Regional Library

Harry made reference to my posts regarding the Hancock, Harrison, and Long Beach library systems. I responded by stating that Jackson-George had placed some information regarding the status of their libraries post-Katrina and that I would make it available here on the blog-- and finally after some delay, here's the scoop straight from their site. Normally, I wouldn't do a copy & paste job of this length-- the comments on the Katrina/Libraries posts on this site aren't mine, but I figure that publicity & people knowing what's going on is of higher importance.


Hurricane Katrina and the Jackson George Regional Library

October 2005

When the staff of the Pascagoula Public Library began hurricane preparations on Saturday, August 27th, they fully expected to return to work by the following Tuesday. Hurricane Katrina was only a Category 1 storm, and they’d been through these routine preparations many times before.

But a few hours can change everything. Today, you can stand at one end of the building’s first floor and see the opposite wall, without books, shelving, or furniture obstructing your view.

When the Category 4 storm slammed into the Mississippi Gulf Coast on August 29th, she left 6 inches of floodwaters in most of the tightly sealed Pascagoula Public Library, and 3 feet in the mechanical room.

Mold grows quickly in high heat and humidity. As a result, all first-floor carpeting, wood furniture, cabinets, and doors have been discarded by environmental cleanup specialists. Drywall has been removed up to 4 feet. All shelving in the Jackson County Public Law Library, which is housed in one corner of the building, was removed due to mold contamination.

Fortunately, most of the collection was saved. Books now stand in large stacks around the library floor.

None of the remaining seven branches of the Jackson-George Regional Library System received significant damage, and most services have resumed at those locations.

At this time, there is no firm estimate on the cost of renovation at the Pascagoula branch, but repairs are expected to take six to eight months. Meanwhile, clerical staff have been reassigned to other branches, and headquarters staff are temporarily located at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library.

Although recovery may be slow, from disaster has come opportunity. On opening day, the Pascagoula Public Library will be a fresher, more functional space, with a renewed commitment to providing the services and resources its community needs.


RELOCATED SERVICES:

Currently, most services housed out of the Headquarters/Pascagoula Branch have been temporarily relocated to the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library, 4119 Bellview Street, Moss Point, MS, 39563, 228-475-7462.
These services include:

Administration: Director, Business Office, IT, Personnel, Purchasing, Public Relations, Staff Development and Training. To contact these offices, please call the Moss Point Library, 228-475-7462, please ask for the specific office or the person you wish to reach.

Law Library: 3 computers are set up with Westlaw database access. Very limited print materials available at this time.Call for specific titles. The law librarian, Faith Kelleher may be reached at 228-475-7462.

Pascagoula Public Library : Manager, Carol Mars’ office has been relocated to the Moss Point Library. She may be reached at 228-475-7462.

Reference: If you have a question or need specific information, please call any of the 7 branch libraries for assistance.

Inter Library Loan: Full service is available through each of the 7 libraries.

Genealogy: Measures were taken to preserve all Genealogy materials. There is no access available to these materials at this time.

Youth Services: Story time programs are being held at all libraries. Click here for times and locations. The Youth Services Coordinator, Mary Ann Louviere, may currently be reached by leaving a message at 228-217-0789.

Donations for the Jackson-George Regional Library:

If you would like to help the Jackson-George Regional Library recover from Hurricane Katrina, donations are being accepted through the Pascagoula Friends of the Library organization. Your tax-deductible donations will be used to help replace materials, shelving, appliances, furniture, and fixtures. Donations may be sent to:

Pascagoula Friends of the Library
4119 Bellview Street
Moss Point, MS 39563