Melbourne Visit, originally uploaded by mstephens7.
A brief pause from the usual TTW content to send heartfelt thoughts and well wishes to all of our Australian colleagues and friends touched by the fires in Victoria and the flooding in Queensland.
(That’s me at the State Library in Melbourne last spring)
Thanks Michael, a lot of people here are devastated by the scope of this disaster.
We can smell smoke in the Melbourne suburbs today – a reminder that the fires go on – over 1000 homes and possibly up to 300 lives lost so far, not to mention whole towns, schools and no doubt libraries. It is going to take a long time for us to come to grips with the enormity of this disaster. Thank you for keeping the people of Victoria (and Queensland, another huge disaster) in your thoughts.
The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) is shocked by
the destruction the Victorian bushfires have caused to lives, townships
and communities. We thank all the Australians and Australian libraries
that are supporting these devastated areas and encourage everyone to
donate time and money to assist those affected. Donations can be made to
the Red Cross bushfires appeal
. The information below has been kindly supplied
by John Murrell – Public Libraries Victoria Network President.
Victoria’s Devastating Bushfires
The horrific bushfires across Victoria over the weekend have devastated
the lives of many Victorians. Every Victorian community has been
impacted in some way by these tragic events. Together we can all help.
For those who have been personally affected, or know of colleagues or
friends and relatives that have, it is important to know that there is
immediate support available now.
Assistance available and information for people wanting to help
There are a range of support services which offer personal, emotional,
psychological and financial help to those affected. As library staff you
may be asked for advice and guidance. Your best starting point for
information about the assistance available will be to contact the
Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or view assistance
available at
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire.
For those wanting to do something more to help, the easiest way is to
make a donation to an agency that is already helping affected
communities, or to seek their advice on how to help:
http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/emergency/current-events/bushfire/advice-for-p
eopl e-wanting-to-help
What’s happened to public libraries?
The Mitchell, Yarra Plenty, Murrindindi, West Gippsland, Eastern
Regional, La Trobe City, Upper Murray, High Country, Wellington, Wimmera
and Goldfields libraries are all serving bushfire affected communities.
Many people have expressed particular concern about the Murrindindi
Library Service. Our most recent information is that the libraries in
Kinglake, Yea and Alexandra are still standing. The devastated township
of Marysville was served by a mobile library.
At this stage it appears that there has been no loss of library
buildings across the State and that no Victorian public library staff
have lost their lives. Sadly a number have lost their homes and many
have lost stock. The majority of services continue to operate, although
some mobile library services have been curtailed until it is safe to
venture into the area. Several libraries are helping with the provision
of relief services in their areas.
Public libraries across the State stand ready to support their local
communities during the recovery process in whatever way is most helpful
to individual communities. Local Government Victoria is working with
affected councils on a range of resourcing, service and infrastructure
issues, including libraries. There have been many helpful suggestions
for ways that libraries can assist in community recovery, once the
immediate issues of loss of life and property have been addressed. We
will be taking these up
at the appropriate time.
John Murrell
President
Public Libraries Victoria Network(formally VICLINK)