Internet a basic need after disasters
After a tornado devasted the town of Rogers, Minnesota on Saturday, the local branch of the county library opened its doors the next day, when it's normally closed, and is extending its regular hours through October so residents have a place to get on the Internet. Hennepin County Library spokeswoman Judy Hohmann says the Internet is becoming a basic need in the aftermath of natural disasters. Hohmann says the library is also offering free faxing to help people file insurance claims.
Across the country libraries are playing a bigger role in disaster relief. John Bertot from Florida State University is lead author of a new report that examines the role of libraries in disasters. Bertot says libraries are a logical place for people to get online after a disaster, in part because library buildings are often the sturdiest in many towns. And there's another reason...