HUNTSVILLE, Ala.-Dec. 16, 2005-SirsiDynix announced today a cooperative effort with libraries in Maryland to donate a fully equipped bookmobile to Hancock County Library System, a Mississippi library hard-hit by Hurricane Katrina. The donated bookmobile will serve as a temporary replacement for Hancock County's Pearlington branch, which served both an elementary school and the general public. To outfit the bookmobile technologically and integrate it with the library system's existing software, SirsiDynix donated hardware and software. The bookmobile will open its doors on Dec. 19 with a celebratory ceremony at its new Pearlington location.
"The offers of assistance from libraries, companies like SirsiDynix and individuals from all over the world has been incredible," said Prima Plauche', director of the Hancock County Library System. "The bookmobile from the Allegany County Library System, and the work of the Anne Arundel County Public Library System and the Maryland Library Association, along with scores of individuals, corporations and libraries, is a bright spot in an otherwise overwhelming, heartbreaking and long-term recovery."
"Libraries are vital to the communities they serve," said Patrick Sommers, SirsiDynix chief executive officer. "The Hancock County Library System is proof of this. In a time of widespread devastation and uncertainty, Hancock County citizens looked to the library for information and assistance. At SirsiDynix, we understand that the sooner the library returns to normalcy then the sooner Hancock County returns to normalcy. This, coupled with our longtime relationship with Hancock County, is why it is important to us to help outfit this bookmobile for the community of Pearlington and the surrounding areas."
The idea to donate the bookmobile was the result of planning by Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL) and other libraries in Maryland. The Maryland Library Association (MLA) Board recently voted to adopt a "sister" library in the community of Pearlington. Marion Francis, AACPL administrator and a Mississippi native, is chairing the committee in charge of this effort. The group includes representatives from public, academic and special libraries and media specialists from public school systems. The Allegany County Library System was the actual donor of the bookmobile.
"It has been a heartwarming labor of love for all of us in the Maryland library community to make this donation to the Pearlington library and the Hancock Library System," said Francis. "We greatly appreciate all the patrons, libraries and corporations such as SirsiDynix who have contributed to this effort."
Cash and donations from library systems, corporations and the general public were sought to refurbish the vehicle and outfit it with computers, books and other materials that can be enjoyed by the residents of Pearlington and the surrounding communities. Future plans call for obtaining satellite Internet service and providing more computers for the public.
Hancock County Library System still has a number of needs that can be met through donations. For more information about donations, see www.hancocklibraries.info. The library's Web site contains a list of current needs, a form for monetary donations and photographs of the damaged facilities.
About SirsiDynix
Created in June 2005 through the merger of Dynix Corporation with Sirsi Corporation, SirsiDynix provides the broadest array of information management products and services for libraries and consortia worldwide. Both Sirsi and Dynix have had excellent track records as leading information technology providers for libraries and their users, and the new company will build on its constituents' strengths while providing more opportunities for technological innovation and growth. SirsiDynix has approximately 4,000 library and consortia clients around the world, serving more than 200 million people through more than 20,000 library outlets in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. For more information, please see www.sirsidynix.com.