American Libraries

Lon Dickerson: The recovery is occurring but it is extremely slow. At Jefferson Parish, where I'm the Director, we have fifteen libraries and we've been able to re-open one of the libraries within the past year since ALA met in the city. And we now have nine of our fifteen libraries open, which conversely means that six are still closed. We hope to get three of those open early next year. It's going to be a bit longer for the remaining three, but I think the important thing to keep in focus is that as awful as Katrina was, it's given us an opportunity to reposition libraries on the Gulf Coast. I think it's very, very significant that the Urban Libraries Council supported a study by The Urban League within the past year. That really says libraries are vital to the economic growth of the community and its quality of life.

We are trying to do our repairs and clean up and everything, which is going to cost us $10 million to $14 million. We're trying to make sure FEMA contributes as much of that as possible and make up the difference from our own funds. But as part of our coming back, rebuilding better, we are trying to raise $12.5 million to put more computers, to better facilities in place, and to make the library a destination of choice. They can make contributions to our friends’ organization in care of our library. We will put money to work and make our facilities much more conducive and inviting for people to use them.

AL: Did the American Library Association meeting in New Orleans a year ago help?

Lon Dickerson: It was such a shot in the arm psychologically. It was the first major convention that came back to the city. I think anyone who was there from ALA just felt genuinely welcome. I haven't heard anyone say a negative thing about the conference. And it was so important to people in the community itself. It really demonstrated that the country cares. We don't have support from the federal government, but we do have support from the people.