From: Esme Raji Codell <esme>
Date: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 17:06:20 -0500

I am pleased to pass along this (relatively) good news from Catharine Bomhold at the University of Southern Mississippi; I know a number of us were concerned about her, her coworkers and the DeGrummond collection. Please note the book drive underway to help public libraries in her area get back on their feet!

>From Catharine:

Professionally, the Library School is functioning again, albeit slowly. We have (as far as I know) accounted for all of grad assistants, and most of our Gulf Coast students. The deGrummond Collection seems to have avoided any damage (yea!), and I am continuing with plans for the 2006 Children's Book Festival, as well as the 40th anniversary festival to be held in March of 2007. Finally, I am pleased to announce that the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival, in association with the USM School of Library & Information Science, is initiating the "10,000 Books" book drive. Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged (or completely destroyed) at least TEN public libraries on the Gulf Coast. While there are many general funds for library donations available, this drive is focused on gathering 10,000 new children's books to restock the shelves of affected libraries. Given the level of destruction to the libraries (many will have to be completely rebuilt) this will be a long-term effort, but we might as well get started now and be ready when they do reopen. Stay tuned for more information on this (and if anybody can help with publishing contacts, I'd be grateful) Thanks for all your best wishes, thoughts, prayers, and offers of help, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 13, 2005

The Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival and USM School of Library & Information Science Announce Book Drive for Gulf Coast Libraries

(Hattiesburg, MS) The Fay B. Kaigler Children?s Book Festival, in association with the School of Library & Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi is pleased to announce the formation of the ?10,000 BOOKS? book drive. Hurricane Katrina has severely or completely destroyed more than 10 public libraries along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. This relief effort has been established to help replenish the children's literature departments of public libraries affected by the hurricane. The Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival is soliciting donations of new children's and young adult books from publishers, authors, illustrators, and other concerned parties. As the libraries reopen, the books will be distributed by the Student Association of the USM School of Library & Information Science. Gift plates will be inserted at the request of the donor.

For more information, please contact Dr. Catharine Bomhold at 601-266-4228, or send donations directly to: 10,000 BOOKS c/o The USM School of Library and Information Science, 2609 West 4th Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401-5876.

The mission of the Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival is to recognize excellence in the field of children?s literature and to provide librarians, teachers, researchers and community members the opportunity to learn about and appreciate children?s literature.

Catharine Bomhold, PhD Assistant Professor and Director, Fay B. Kaigler Children's Book Festival

School of Library and Information Science The University of Southern Mississippi childrensbookfestival.org

Mailing address and phone: 118 College Drive, Box 5146 Hattiesburg, MS 39406 Voice: (601) 266-6807 Fax: (601) 266-5774
Received on Tue 13 Sep 2005 05:06:20 PM CDT