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A STORM CALLED SANDY

A STORM CALLED SANDY. Ports in a Storm: the Library as Disaster Recovery Center April 8, 2013 Sheraton Eatontown. Oct. 29, 2012-The Day That Changed New Jersey. Patricia Tumulty, Executive Director, New Jersey Library Association. What Happened?. Unprecedented Destruction

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A STORM CALLED SANDY

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  1. A STORM CALLED SANDY Ports in a Storm: the Library as Disaster Recovery Center April 8, 2013 Sheraton Eatontown Oct. 29, 2012-The Day That Changed New Jersey Patricia Tumulty, Executive Director, New Jersey Library Association

  2. What Happened? Unprecedented Destruction • 346,000 homes destroyed or damaged • 7 million without power • 41,000 still out of their homes in January

  3. How the NJLA Responded • Status Check • Information Collection • Photo submission requests

  4. Donations from Around the Country • Rebuilding NJ Libraries Fund • To date raised approximately $10,000

  5. Donations from Around the Country • From Joplin to the Jersey Shore

  6. DONATIONS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY • Newport, RI • Los Angeles, Ca • Dearborn, MI • Champaign, IL • New York, NY • Oak Park, IL • Medina, OH • Danvers, MA • Society of Children’s Book Writers, IL • Omaha, NE • Bryn Ashyn, PA

  7. Libraries in the Hurricane Region Neptune Public Library • Told to pack a bag and be ready to work for 72 hours • Helped man phones in Town Hall, 24/7 for the first week • Entered FEMA data in spreadsheets • Documented township-wide street closures • Worked the High School transportation center • Staffed Senior Center kitchen and fed everyone • Delivered meals to homebound seniors • Manned an OEM tent to help with FEMA applications Active participant in Hurricane preparation efforts

  8. Staff told to pack a bag for 72 hours and report to work! WHAT WE DID: • Helped man phones in Town Hall, 24/7 for the first week • Entered FEMA data in spreadsheets • Documented township-wide street closures • Worked the High School transportation center • Staffed Senior Center kitchen and fed everyone • Delivered meals to homebound seniors • Manned an OEM tent to help with FEMA applications

  9. THE OEM TENT AND FEMA APPLICATIONS • Mayor requested loan of laptops lab and Outreach Librarian to staff it • Located in Shark River Hills, at the marina, worst destruction in town • Roads in some parts were impassable, so residents walked over to apply • 2 librarians and one staff from Neptune Public Library, and a volunteer from Monmouth County Library who lives in SRH • Staffed for five days • OEM truck was a mobile • command center that provided • power & WiFi node for internet access • We brought computers & power cables, • mice, power strips

  10. FEMA TENT, cont’d • Public Works brought tables & a propane heater, and later, portajohns • We actually input information if folks were not computer literate • Also served as a quick charging station, place to use internet for insurance claims, place to plug in cell phones and contact relatives • Local homeowner group was distributing information through us • Assisted over 150 residents before moving operations to Library on Nov. 7

  11. ONCE WE REOPENED … • We put out an Email blast through the Township • Added extra extension cords and power strips to meet demand • Moved furniture to accommodate more power-users • Book-dropped back to Oct.27 before the storm, for 3 weeks after • Suspended fines and fees • Board passed a resolution to waive losses

  12. HOW CAN NEPTUNE LIBRARY HELP YOU? • We are open and have: • Heat and comfortable seating • Electricity to charge your phones and devices • Help with filling out FEMA and unemployment applications • Computers with internet and printing • WiFi for all your devices • Movies for children and adults • Lots of books…and • Pleasant, smiling staff who are glad to see you! 25 Neptune Blvd 732-775-8241

  13. PLANTING THE SEEDS: • Started Mayor’s Book Club 5 years ago • Every year current Mayor invited to at least 2 photo ops/ programs • Mayor during Hurricane Irene requested that I work the shelter to entertain the children • Library participates in National Night Out, First Day programs at schools, Neptune Day, and the Black History celebration in February • One of the choices in Twp Email blasts is news from the Library • I attend retirement parties and other Twp events • MAKE SURE THAT THE FUNDERS KNOW • WHO YOU ARE AND WHAT YOU DO!

  14. Libraries cannot envision the nature of all emergencies that might affect their communities.

  15. ++++++Lessons Learned • Not as prepared as we would have liked • Few libraries had a disaster plan • Why weren’t we all at the table like Neptune Library • How can we use our skills more effectively in the next crisis • What Role social media played • One word: PAPER

  16. Future Steps • Community Partnerships • Disaster Plans for every library including a communication plan • Staff Training • Statewide Response Coordination • Funding Opportunities to expand wireless access/broadband • Generator Support

  17. Rainbow over the marina at the end of a cold, exhausting day !

  18. REMEMBER WE ARE JERSEY STRONG

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