Library Offers Computer Use for Displaced Joplin-Area Residents
May 23, 2011 —
To help Joplin-area residents who are staying in the Springfield area as a result of the May 22 tornado, the Springfield-Greene County Library District will waive the $1 computer pass fee for anyone from the Joplin or Jasper/Newton County areas who visit any of the 10 library district branches.
It’s one way the library can help displaced residents reconnect with family members, coworkers and neighbors if they have lost access to phone service, computers and Internet.
“They may very well be staying in Springfield until they can return home,” said district Associate Director Jim Schmidt. “It’s an easy, simple gesture of sympathy.”
In addition, those residents staying temporarily in the Springfield area will also qualify for “limited address” cards, which allow them limited checkout privileges and access to other library services including reserving titles.
Library staff members are also raising money to benefit Joplin-area residents through the American Red Cross.
In “Jeans for Joplin,” library staff members who make a minimum $5 donation to the Red Cross may wear jeans to work on either Friday or Saturday, or both, May 27 and 28.