Help for Kentucky Librarians Left Homeless

As daylight made evident the scope of the disaster, it was encouraging — and nothing short of amazing — to learn that the libraries in those communities were largely unharmed. The employees of those libraries, however, were less fortunate. Many are dealing with the loss of friends and family. Eight library employees, as of this writing, have been displaced, temporarily or permanently, from their damaged homes. 

This fundraiser cannot replace those homes. It can, however, provide a gift of cash to these now-homeless employees, to help them with the expenses and necessities that insurance doesn't cover. Anyone may donate, but I especially invite library personnel and trustees — public, academic, or private; across the nation and around the world — to accept this opportunity and show these employees that their professional community stands with them in these dark hours. 

This fundraiser will remain open through Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST. This will allow time to transfer collected funds to the affected employees, hopefully before Christmas Eve. There are no administrative costs associated with this fundraiser; every cent donated (after GFM deducts their fees) will be equally distributed among the library employees left homeless by this disaster.

Please share this far and wide on social media! Every donation is appreciated. Thank you so much — for reading this, for sharing this fundraiser, for donating. May your holiday season be happy.