one of the problems with gmail is that when I post to a listserv and
someone replies to me the reply comes to me and not to the list. I
know that all will want to read Tim's update

pak

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Tim Barnard <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sep 30, 2005 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: Katrina photos was Fwd: [ARCHIVES] Need new images for
Archives exhibit
To: Peter Kurilecz <[log in to unmask]>



From the Archives Listserv story Peter K forwarded yesterday:

http://www.coshrc.org/arc/hurricane-MSvisit-photos.htm

WLOX-TV, our local TV station had this story yesterday regarding the
Biloxi library shown in those photos:

http://www.wlox.com/Global/story.asp?S=3916965&nav=6DJI

The books are now on their way to a Munters facility in Chicago for
treatment (all but a few that are in a freezer truck a few blocks from
me rented by our state archives office).  By the way, the Harrison
County Board of Supervisor Minute Books shown in the COSHRC photos are
duplicates we donated to the library a few years ago.  The originals
are safe in my office.

The video clip didn't work for me, but below is the text of the story.
 I'm not sure how long it's available on their website.

Tim Barnard, Records Management Clerk
Harrison County, Mississippi
[log in to unmask]
Phone (228) 865-4121 Fax (228) 865-4140

09/29/05
Biloxi Library Cleaning Up Storm Mess


Hurricane Katrina's visit to the downtown Biloxi library has all the
elements of a nightmare novel. But even though the storm made a mess
of the library, that isn't the end of the story. Some determined
people are intent on writing a happy ending.

A walk through the library... is an obstacle course.

"I can assure you that many of these things were not in the library
before the storm," said librarian Jamie Ellis, as she stepped over
storm driven debris.

A storm surge stew of sea grass, water logged books and assorted
who-knows-what-else now covers the floor.

"I couldn't believe it. I thought to myself. We never thought that it
would get this high. We just didn't think that it would happen," said
Ellis.

Katrina thought otherwise. Her true story left behind a smelly,
unsightly, unpleasant mess.

"There's a window out here and a window out over here. And basically
the water came in. We don't see much wind damage in here. Things that
were on the shelf above the water line are still there. So, it seems
it was mostly a water event," Ellis explained.

Dry and undisturbed above the water mark, a pre-storm newspaper warns
Katrina is coming.

"We had all the census micro film here. And lots of things. People
just depended on all this," said librarian's assistant, Jane Shambra.

She mourns a loss of local history. The hurricane claimed a portion of
the history and genealogy section.

"It's terrible. It's become a part of our life. All this history and
genealogy stuff. And it's kind of like a part of us is just washed
away," said Shambra.

The storm destroyed 25 thousand of the library's 47 thousand books.
Those that can be salvaged will need special treatment.

All the Biloxi books which can be saved will get a refrigerated truck
ride to Chicago. That's where a company that specializes in document
restoration will use some high tech methods to restore these volumes.

The recovery process involves blast freezing the books and exposing
them to gamma rays.

Full recovery isn't a short story; it's more like a lengthy novel. But
those who love the library are anxious to write the final chapter.

"You just have to keep a positive outlook in times like these. Things
have to get better. They must get better," said Jamie Ellis.

The librarian says it could be two years before the downtown Biloxi
library re-opens.

By Steve Phillips

--
Peter Kurilecz
Richmond, Va

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