LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Library has added new materials to its collection to help Lake County residents with recovery efforts and future disaster planning.
Following the Valley fire, survivors turned to the Lake County Library for help with disaster recovery.
Some used the library’s public computers to fill out forms, to search for lost pets or to contact loved ones.
Others used library resources to find house plans for rebuilding their homes. Still others sought islands of quiet in their local libraries.
Lake County Library employees found themselves helping survivors with all sorts of recovery questions.
Middletown Library’s roof suffered only minor damage and the library remained available to the many library patrons who lost their homes to the blaze or were evacuated for long periods.
In the chaotic weeks after the fire, people began to search for help in rebuilding homes, dealing with bureaucratic paperwork and regaining emotional strength.
California State Librarian Greg Lucas visited Lake County and met with Lake County Librarian Christopher Veach in November.
During their discussion Veach briefed Lucas about the unique library issues that had arisen from the fires.
As a result, the Lake County library received a grant of $15,000 in federal Library Services and Technology Act funds from the California State Library to purchase materials to help with the information needs created by the Valley fire.
Veach focused on ordering materials that would help with rebuilding, recovery and future planning.
He selected books and DVDs on topics such as construction, landscaping, wildfires, disaster planning and self-help for both children and adults.
Some of the new titles now in the library collection are The Fire Smart Home Handbook, Healing Your Grief When Disaster Strikes, Living with Fire and Therapeutic Gardens.
A list of the materials can be found on http://www.co.lake.ca.us/Government/Directory/Lake_County_CA__Library/Catalog/NewNoteworthy.htm .
Patrons with library cards from Lake, Sonoma or Mendocino County can request these materials and others to be sent to their local branch libraries.
Veach expressed his appreciation about the grant and the new materials.
“I’m so grateful for these funds from the California State Library so we can provide materials to residents just when they need them the most,” he said.
The Lake County Library is on the Internet at http://library.lakecountyca.gov and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/LakeCountyLibrary .
Jan Cook works for the Lake County Library.
Lake County Library adds new resources to help with disaster recovery
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