Recent Flooding in Southern Alberta LAA was devastated to see many of Southern Alberta’s libraries damaged by recent flooding. We are working on gathering information about the extent of the damage and providing updates. At this time, we can provide the information below. We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available. We are here to help these libraries recover in any way we can, not just now in this time of need but in the future as well. If you know of a library that was damaged or destroyed and have information on fundraising initiatives, please send them to us at [email protected]. We will distribute the information to our members so they can assist in the recovery process. Any other updates you have can also be sent and we will get the news out to members. High River The Town of High River remains under a provincial state of emergency. Follow the official Facebook page and Twitter feed for up-to-date information and communications. High River Library Posted to Facebook on June 20: "The library has water in it, up to about 3 feet when it was last checked. It came up so fast that library staff and the last clients had to break a window to get out. Everyone was rescued safely. We have accounted for most of the staff, and they are safe." No fines will be charged on overdue items during this crisis, and any books that patrons may have out can be returned to another library. Library materials can be returned to the Okotoks Public Library. If you have your Library card with you, you can check out their items too. Okotoks can send your Hold items there in the meantime as well and you can access their FREE internet, you do not need a Library card to use their Internet services wi fi. Bow Valley College, Calgary - Tim Loblaw, Acting Library Director "There is a bit of a good news/bad news perspective regarding the state of Bow Valley College’s Library and Learning Commons and the recent flood. The bad news is that the College’s West Campus, where the Library and Learning Commons (LLC) is housed, was severely impacted by flooding. This building will not re-open for a period of time, so the LLC will have to be relocated to BVC’s South Campus. The good news is that since the LLC was on the second floor of the West Campus building, the Library collection was NOT damaged. The Library won’t be set-up in the new (temporary) location for another week, and we are in the midst of assessing the depth and breadth of service we can provide in light of this new location.” Calgary Public Library Calgary Public Library has also been affected by the flooding in the city of Calgary. While the Central Library was the only location flooded, all 18 locations have been affected, and were closed during the worst days of the flood. All but four libraries were able to open on Monday, June 24, with no online services, thanks to our resilient and amazing staff. All locations except Central are now open, and are operating with almost all services. The catalogue and circulation services are operational, and customers can access their accounts, place holds and borrow materials. Customer are using these services and most locations are experiencing normal or above normal activity levels. The Central Library experienced damage to the basement levels, including some collections. There have been damage estimates reported in the media, but these have not yet been confirmed. The basement level will require extensive rebuilding, which has already resumed. Power is still not fully restored downtown, which means that Central Library does not have full power. This affects the entire system, and CPL is running on backup servers. The estimated date for reopening Central (with exception of the basement level) is approximately 4 weeks. The positive story of this experience is the incredible spirit in the city of Calgary and in Southern Alberta. Many of our staff and customers were personally affected by this flood, and the primary concern for Calgary Public Library has been the safety and well-being of those impacted. We are doing everything we can to provide services that are needed, and this will continue into the coming months when Calgarians and those in the surrounding area will need information and support to help them recover from this disaster. No fines are being charged on late returns and due dates have been extended. Many in the Canadian Library Community have expressed their concern and desire to help, which is appreciated. For a chronicle of the flood from the CPL perspective and further information about donations and ways to help, please check our Facebook page at https://facebook/#!/calgarypubliclibrary?fref=ts University of Alberta Libraries Alberta Flood Archive Collection UAL initiated an Alberta Floods web archive collection. Given the scale and impact of the recent flooding we feel it is important to gather a representative sample of the online activity surround these events. A very simple URL nomination (suggestion) form has been created at: goo.gl/do3XF. All suggestions are appreciated so please consider helping us identify potential resources. Materials added to the archive are accessible at: archive-it.org/collections/3747
Posted on: Mon, 08 Jul 2013 17:17:40 +0000
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