SirsiDynix Creates Emergency Services for Hurricane Libraries

Vendor trying to help Mississippi libraries get 150 PCs

By Michael Rogers -- Library Journal, 10/15/2005

SirsiDynix joined the relief effort to help libraries damaged by Hurricane Katrina and those facilities assisting storm victims. The company September 21 created the Emergency Hosting and Consulting Services Program for affected libraries in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, as well as customers in Texas and Louisiana that were in the path of the oncoming Hurricane Rita. The company provided ASP hosting of “web servers and general web page information and entire Unicorn or Horizon integrated library systems, plus general emergency consulting services to assist libraries in their system-recovery efforts.” The vendor hoped that the assistance would enable libraries with back-up data to run their systems remotely on its safely-housed servers. “For Rita we told our customers to send us their back-up tapes and if something happens we would be able to support them,” Tom Gates, SirsiDynix's Marketing VP, told LJ.

Although Katrina was the worst of the hurricanes to hit the United States, libraries in other states had been clobbered by previous storms, giving them a certain expertise. The vendor told LJ that when Katrina barely was over, its reps were “in contact with Florida libraries that had lived through the experience of restoring operations after a hurricane. “Their unique insights and suggestions helped us formulate a list of recovery FAQs, offering Gulf libraries very timely, proven, and practical advice on how to get their systems up and running and to begin serving their users again,” Gates said. Most of the suggestions were small yet important, such as turning off your system's fines calculator so patrons wouldn't be charged for overdue books. Attempting to contact all of its customers in the affected areas to offer assistance, company reps began working with destroyed and seriously damaged libraries, offering free consulting services.

SirsiDynix coordinated with affected libraries to determine where it could donate PCs “particularly for communities with people in dire need of web-accessible resources and information.” The vendor's users' group also played a role in helping Louisiana libraries outside the affected areas that needed extra PCs to support the throngs of evacuees pouring into their facilities. “Announcements were posted to the SirsiDynix users' listservs, and the need was filled within 24 hours. The company extended the same offer to Mississippi libraries,” Gates said. Users' groups also linked to the SOLINET Job Bank to assist library workers in finding temporary and permanent employment, as well as to the Texas Library Association book drive so that customers could donate books.

Gates said the company talked to Sharman Smith, director of the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC), a role comparable to the state librarian, who had toured the damaged areas. Around the state, wherever there were evacuees, librarians needed help to deal with the extra patrons. Smith performed a survey and determined that roughly 150 PCs were required by libraries across the state to handle the extra crush. “We put out notices to our customer base and to the general marketplace that we're trying to collect those 150 PCs.”

The vendor is seeking assistance in garnering PCs with the following specifications: Complete unit, including base, monitor, mouse, keyboard, cables, and operating system and browser software installed; recently manufactured (no more than three years old); must have Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP operating system; Intel Pentium III or better microprocessor; 256MB minimum RAM; 512MB preferred; Internet ready with updated browsers; and FEMA form capable (Java scripting)

SirsiDynix customers or other libraries able to donate PCs and cover shipping costs may contact Treasure Stover of the MLC at tcstover@mlc.lib.ms.us to facilitate the matching of donors to Mississippi libraries in need of additional computers.

Surprisingly, Gates said that the company hasn't been inundated with calls from customers seeking help with getting their systems up, a sign that many staffers still hadn't gotten back into their libraries. “We tried calling every single one of our customers in the affected areas, but it's been very difficult to get a hold of people. We've made the communication as direct as possible to help expedite matters.” Nonetheless, he expects the relative silence is the calm before the storm. “I'm willing to bet that it will be in the next couple of weeks that we'll really start getting calls,” Gates said.