Arkansas State Library Blood Drive

Next Thursday, June 2, the Arkansas State Library will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive.  It is open to all volunteers, not just staff members or state employees. If you are interested in donating blood, you can sign up for a scheduled time on-line:

https://www.givelife.org/index.cfm

Our Sponsor Code is: ASLLR

There are plenty of appointments still available.  Please consider donating if you are eligible; you can check your eligibility here. Between the flooding and tornadoes across the south, many people will be in need of blood in the coming weeks. Giving blood is a great way to help.

Disaster Resources for Libraries

Here are a few more disaster recovery resources, specifically for libraries.

LYRASIS, "the nation’s largest regional non-profit membership organization serving libraries [with a] mission of supporting libraries and information professionals by offering creative solutions and increased savings opportunities through collaboration, consulting, digital and preservation services, professional development, and group purchases," offers a number of planning resources, as well as connections to recovery assistance and volunteers.

The National Archives provides information about how to deal with papers, books, artwork, and other materials that may have been damaged in a disaster such as a flood or fire.

Disaster Recovery Resources

On May 1st, Governor Beebe "sent a letter to President Obama requesting a major disaster declaration for 57 Arkansas counties impacted by severe storms, tornadoes and floods beginning April 14. Those counties include Arkansas, Baxter, Benton, Bradley, Boone, Calhoun, Carroll, Chicot, Clark, Clay, Cleburne, Cleveland, Conway, Craighead, Crawford, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Drew, Faulkner, Franklin, Fulton, Garland, Grant, Hot Spring, Howard, Independence, Izard, Jackson, Lawrence, Lincoln, Lonoke, Madison, Marion, Mississippi, Monroe, Montgomery, Newton, Perry, Phillips, Pike, Polk, Prairie, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Searcy, Sharp, St. Francis, Stone, Van Buren, Washington, White, Woodruff, and Yell." (From the official press release.)  This declaration means that storm victims are eligible for federal aid, as well as assistance from the Small Business Administration Disaster Loan program.

According to the Small Business Administration, you do not have to own a business to be eligible for assistance. "Renters and homeowners alike may borrow up to $40,000 to repair or replace clothing, furniture, cars or appliances damaged or destroyed in the disaster. Homeowners may apply for up to $200,000 to repair or replace their primary residence to its pre-disaster condition." Some conditions do apply, so anyone interested in such a loan should contact the SBA and read the fact sheets before applying.

The Arkansas Chapter of the Red Cross has opened shelters in areas affected by flooding. For more information or to find a shelter near you, visit their webpage.  The Red Cross also has disaster preparedness kits and weather radios available to purchase.

For information about how to stay safe in floods, you can visit the Red Cross Flood Information page, and for more information about how floods form, the different kinds of flooding, and other weather related information, visit the National Weather Service Flood Safety homepage.

Arkansas Heritage Month

I am a little late bringing you this announcement, but May is Arkansas Heritage Month. The theme this year is "Conflict and Consequence: Commemorating the Civil War." From the Heritage Month 2011 website:

Today, as our nation again encounters painful strife in our country, we experience fierce and often hostile debates over cultural issues -- fortunately without the rush to arms. What better way to revisit the lessons from the Civil War to learn how to deal with our internal differences? How was your community or area affected by the Civil War? Did battles or skirmishes take place near your hometown? How did the locals live and survive during that time? What was it like for those left at home while fathers, brothers and sons went off to war? Do any Civil War-era structures remain in your community? Think of ways to commemorate this time in our history by planning a Heritage Month event to take place in May 2011.
 

 For a list of events around the state commemorating the Civil War and Heritage Month, go to the Heritage Month 2011 website.

Weather Resources On-line

We sure have been having wild weather here in Arkansas this spring. After the tornadoes came the rain and now floods. Here are a few resources to help you keep on top of it all.

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration : NOAA has everything from weather forecasts to analysis of past weather, to weather and climate related research information.
• Weather.com : The online branch of cable's Weather Channel. You can find forecasts and monthly totals for your zip code, as well as severe weather alerts and warnings.
• Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department : Get information on road closings for everything from traffic to ice to flooding.
• And a repeat from last week, Arkansas Red Cross. Give time and monetary donations to help your fellow citizens affected by the storms.