American Libraries

Helen Fried: As you probably have seen in the news, there's been a lot of fires. It started out in Malibu, but then there was actually—and I think they've confirmed it—there was arson in the Santiago Modjeska Canyon area in Orange County, and that's what affects our library here in Orange County Public Library System. We're trying to keep as many libraries open as possible because for a lot of people that have been evacuated, it's their one source to communicate with their loved ones and friends. We have computers that they can use, they can find out information through the librarians, what's going on in their area. So far, we've had to close three libraries due to the fires. The Silverado Branch is actually in the heart of the fire, so we can't even go in there to find out what's going on because the Fire Department won't let us in. We closed our Foothill Ranch, which is located in Foothill because it was very near the evacuation area and the librarians could see the fire in the near hill.

Margaret Todd: I think we will wait and let the different Fire Departments evaluate what took place and if there's anything we can do around our libraries to try and make them safer, we will do so. It's interesting, I have two libraries that are just about to start construction, both of whom were in those fire areas—brand new service. And I know those libraries were designed to the new standards. And they probably would be a bastion of safety in a future fire because they have been designed to the standards that Fire Departments want them designed. Malibu came very close to burning—very, very close. We were at the beginning of that Malibu fire. I was sitting at home and my husband told me, "Come look on the television." And I looked and I said, "Oh my goodness, that house was directly above our library." But we were very lucky—no damage. Malibu is still closed but the Fire Department is using it as a staging area and a headquarters area. Our other libraries are open, but we're all on air quality watch, especially still out a little in the Castaic area because of the smoke. And for many of our libraries, that's the thing we're most worried about is to be sure our staff are not in areas where they're going to suffer some health problems. Our library staffs are ready to come to work. Our bookmobiles were ready to go out. They were calling us and saying, "Well, you know, I know we can't go here and here but we could make Friendly Valley today because the fire is on the other end." And we're looking at each other and I said, "No, absolutely not. You're not going out; it's not safe." So dedicated that they're willing to head out on the Bookmobile because they said, "Those people are going to want some diversion." We said, "No, absolutely not. Fire says no, Sheriff says no, we're grounded." But I have to be really impressed with the staffs that work in libraries. They are committed.