ALA Midwinter 2011: FEMA Recognizes Libraries as Essential Community Organizations

ALA credits Senator Reed of Rhode Island for change in policy

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By Michael Kelley Jan 11, 2011

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) changed its policy on January 7 to allow libraries to be eligible for temporary relocation during major disasters and emergencies under the FEMA Public Assistance Program.

Emily Sheketoff, executive director of the American Library Association's (ALA) Washington Office, announced the change Saturday morning before a session at the Midwinter Meeting in San Diego titled "Turning the Page on E-Books."

"It's the first time FEMA acknowledges that libraries are essential community organizations," Sheketoff said in a press release.

Section 403 of the Stafford Act constitutes the statutory authority for most federal disaster response activities. The act allows for provision of temporary facilities for schools and other essential community services, when it is related to saving lives and preserving property or public health and safety.

"In times of disaster, libraries strive to ensure the public has access to the resources and services they need, but prior to this policy change libraries were not specifically included in the list of eligible public facilities," Sheketoff said at the session.

Until now, the list of eligible facilities had been limited to police, fire protection/emergency services, medical care, education, and utilities.

Sheketoff later told LJ that the change had its roots in the exception that was made in 2009 to assist the flood-damaged Cedar Rapids Public Library in Iowa.

"Sen. Tom Harkin lobbied to get FEMA funds for Cedar Rapids," Sheketoff said, "and once that happened, support for the idea grew."

However, Sheketoff said the greatest credit goes to Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island.

"Senator Reed recognized what a tremendous oversight this was and has worked with us to make sure the correction was made," she said.

In a release from ALA, Reed said that this "is a common-sense change that I have been calling for since Hurricane Katrina. It will help libraries in need to relocate so they can keep serving the public in the wake of a flood or other emergency...."

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