As many of you know, a massive earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, just 10 miles outside of Port-au-Prince. The disaster is expected to have killed thousands of people, according to Haitian president Réné Préval.

The effects of the earthquake hit home in Philadelphia—according to the 2008 Census Bureau's American Community Survey, more than 5,000 Philadelphians originally hail from Haiti. In 2007, there were an estimated 8,800.

Those with family in Haiti can call 1-888-407-4747, a number set up by the State Department and American Citizen Services. At this time, communication is still difficult.

Details are unfolding by the hour—to stay informed, click here for a Google search that is updated in real-time as articles are posted. Check out Charity Navigator's ways to help and a guide for protecting yourself from online scams.

To learn more about Haiti and its history, click here.

Be sure to visit our website later today for more information.
 

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Recession Tools? What’s that about?

We all know that times are tough. In fact, the unemployment rate is in the double-digits, one out of eight Americans is now receiving food stamps, and mortgage foreclosures are at record highs. That’s why the Free Library has posted a web topic under the heading Recession Tools.

In the green Explore box on our home page, patrons can access a list of recession resources. For example, if you need to apply for food stamps or are looking for help to avoid foreclosure, you can find direct links to websites of organizations that provide grassroots consumer assistance and help.

The page is broken down by category, including:

• Employment
• Finances
• Housing
• Legal Help
• Health
• Taxes and Tax Rebates

Plus, the page features help for special groups:

• Parents
• Seniors
• New Americans
• Crime Victims
• Homeless
• Ex-Offenders
   

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