In A Nutshell

When Hurricane Katrina took a slight turn she slammed into Waveland, Mississppi slightly west of Biloxi, in Hancock County, pre-storm population 8,000—and destroyed the town. The library had the distinction of being one of the few on the Gulf Coast completely destroyed by Katrina. A temporary library was staffed in the weeks following and served as a gathering place and a center for distribution of help, information and hope. After two years of effort, the rebuild of a new library and community center as well as other public buildings are about to begin.

Background

The Waveland Library pre-Katrina.

Post-Katrina devastation to this town reduced it to a ‘ground zero’, with nearly every home, business and public building ripped off its foundation or dramatically flooded. Mayor Tommy Longo evacuated his family and then spent the next few months living atop the sewage plant. Days after the disaster he declared his intent to stay and fight for his city; he announced that the library would be rebuilt and used that as the centerpiece to rally the ravaged community.

The library on Coleman Avenue had been completely renovated in 2003 to a pristine 5,000 square foot facility with computer access, meeting rooms and a special children’s room-- was completely destroyed by Katrina. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided funds for a temporary trailer, furniture and staffing for three years and the facility opened to the public March 7, 2007.

In the first 3 weeks there were more than 500 people coming into the library, and it became the hub for efforts to restore the town.

Advocacy Goal

To rebuild Waveland, with the Library and a community center as a centerpiece.

Getting the Work Done

The Waveland Library post-Katrina.

Citizens and town leaders refused to abandon their community, and the town’s efforts to help themselves attracted media and other attention: the response was extraordinary. Faith based communities around the world responded with donations and volunteers; the Italian government flew the Mayor, Tommy Longo, to Italy; interviews on CNN International increased the attention. At one point the town received $200 in gift cards from a group of Buddhists.

Residents pitched in to help each other, and most importantly, town leaders—the mayor, city council members , library board and staff—all remained in the community and worked to bring in resources. A blueprint for the entire town by architect Robert Orr was recently completed, and includes a side by side community center and library.

Advocacy Strategies

Community Engagement

Waveland is a small, tight knit community. The storm brought out connections rather than shattered them. Building on a deep commitment to place, community leaders rallied residents to stick by their town and rebuild.

Mayor Tommy Longo’s dramatic statement in the storm’s aftermath declaring his intent to stay and rebuild was a catalyst both inside and outside the community. Council members had a fairly sophisticated network of contacts and connections and pursued these with persistence and skill.

Strategic Communications

Media attention and websites helped attract donations and volunteers from around the nation and the world.

Mayor Longo was asked to testify before a senate subcommittee on the effect of Katrina on the Gulf coast; his moving testimony helped focus more attention to Waveland and the entire Gulf Coast.

Officials working to attract sources of funding resulted in an award of $1.8 million in Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) monies, as well as $400,000 of a total $600,000 for Hancock County from the Americans for Libraries Council Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund.

Results

The town’s persistence paid off, as evidenced by the outside funding that rewarded and enabled their efforts to rebuild. An architectural  blueprint for the entire town now exists and the library and police station will be the first buildings to be constructed.

Looking Ahead

Waveland will not be rebuilt overnight, but the commitment to rebuilding is stronger than ever, fueled by the response and success so far. The library, its board and staff, played and continue to play an integral part in this effort.