Good afternoon! Please excuse cross-postings.

In addition to the information request that Lori Fisher just sent out to MELIBS (which I will paste below in case you missed it), I will be opening a Zoom room for the following issue this Friday, January 19, from 1-1:45 pm ET, and again on Friday, February 2, from 1-1:45 pm:

“Maine libraries of all types that have been impacted by recent storms or who are in communities affected by recent storms are invited to an open meeting on Zoom. This is an open agenda meeting, a time to share your concerns, frustrations, services, and needs with Maine State Library and each other. Lisa Shaw will host the meeting and provide any updates and resources from the State Library, Congressional offices, and other agencies.
There will be another meeting for those who cannot attend this one or who wish to come twice on February 2, at the same time and format.
Unless there is objection, the meetings will be recorded.”

Please register to get the meeting links.

Registration for Friday, January 19, 2024, 1-1:45 pm<https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/11913595>

Registration for Friday, February 2, 2024, from 1-1:45 pm<https://maine-msl.libcal.com/event/11913631>

Lori Fisher’s specific request, in case you missed it:
“Hi,

As part of my role on the state's Maine Emergency Management team, I've just been informed that there are upcoming meetings where I will be asked to provide information about libraries that have sustained damage in any of the storms from 12/18/23 through this last one on Saturday 1/13/24.

To that end, I ask that any public library that has sustained structural or other damage please contact me via email with the following information:


  1.  Name of library
  2.  Name of contact person
  3.  Email/phone number of contact person
  4.  Dates of storm damage (if multiple dates, please list all and in the next question please make sure to identify what damage occurred in what storm)
  5.  Description of damage. Please make sure to clearly indicate if the damage was due to rain, wind, flooding, etc.
  6.  What your organization is currently doing to address the damage.

There may be additional state resources that even non-profits will be able to obtain. I'd like to make sure I am sharing accurate information and opening doors for libraries to receive whatever help is available to recover from the past three storms.

Thank you in advance for your assistance,

Lori

Lori A. Fisher, State Librarian
Maine State Library”

Please email Lori at [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

If you forget and end up replying to me instead of Lori because We Are All Doing Our Best, I will forward it to Lori.

Respectfully and warmly,
Lisa

Lisa M. Shaw [she/elle/ella/ye/그녀/iyada/вона/ea]
Small/Rural Libraries & Workforce Development Specialist
Division of Library Development
Maine State Library
242 State Street
SHS 64
Augusta ME 04330
www.maine.gov/msl<http://www.maine.gov/msl>
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
(207 ) 747-8717 (text or call)

What I’m reading: Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Muñoz
What I’m listening to: “Paradigme” – La Femme; “Wairua” – Maimoa; “Sell the World” – The HU

“If you want to see something clearly, look in the opposite direction.”
[Midsomer Murders]