Concordia Parish Library faced quite a dilemma in preparation for the threat of a flood.

Just think of having more than 200,000 items and equipment, three facilities and a bookmobile to protect during the threat of water knowing that your contents are made of paper.

This was certainly a responsibility that was taken seriously by the library board, myself and staff.

Since the library was opened in 1928, there were many vital records that had to be pack, moved out and stored at Louisiana Archives in Baton Rouge. After those crates were packed and removed, the library still had to move all materials from bottom shelves or relocate items in another section of the building and then decide what other items were irreplaceable.

Decisions were being made every day of what to move such as photographs, computer equipment, local history files and out of print materials, and the list was endless.

Ms. Teresa Busby from the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Natchez campus called in the first week of the threat. She and her faculty offered all the space that we needed for storing boxes and a place to park the bookmobile.

As we continued to work through the library’s disaster plan, we gathered staff addresses at their evacuation sites so that we could locate our personnel when we were able to return.

I learned that two staff members needed a place to go, and Ms. Busby even located a staff member from Woodville who was willing to share her home.

The Concordia and Natchez chambers of commerce speak frequently of communities working together, bridging the gap, team presence and the list goes on.

Copiah Lincoln Community College exemplified the finest example of offering help in time of need.

Such neighborly assistance will always be remembered by Concordia Parish Library.

Thank you to all of the fine staff at the gracious Co-Lin College Campus.

Amanda Taylor

library director of the Concordia Parish Library System