Crisis Hub
a crisis is never expected, but it can be prepared for
Weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and forest fires are a fact of life in the South. The 2024 hurricane season, which impacted communities as far inland as western North Carolina, Tennessee, and even Kentucky, demonstrated the need for a coordinated strategy to help SIBA members access the resources they need in a time of crisis or natural disaster.
The following information has been collected by SIBA to help booksellers find and share resources in a time of crisis, whether that means a natural disaster such as a hurricane or another kind of emergency situation, such as a violent outbreak. If you have a resource you would like to have included, email SIBA's membership coordinator Candice Huber at candice@sibaweb.com or communications director Nicki Leone at nicki@sibaweb.com.
If you are in need of assistance contact Candice Huber at candice@sibaweb.com
A crisis is never expected, but it can be prepared for.
Step 1: Contact Binc
Binc is a non-profit that coordinates charitable programs to strengthen the bookselling community. Its mission is to help bookstore and comic shop employees and owners with unforeseen emergency financial, medical, and mental health service needs.
Step 2: Update your store's emergency contact info
Be Prepared: Submit your bookstore's emergency contact information to SIBA so the organization can reach you during a crisis.
Bookstores will find a place to list emergency contact information in their account profile. When a community is suffering from loss of services, power outages, or downed wifi and cell service, then the business contact information SIBA has on file for stores may not be the best way to reach members in need.
What emergency contact information will be used for:
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- To direct queries to the store's own designated spokesperson
- For SIBA to ascertain the status and safety of its members during an emergency
- As potential store contact information for authorized relief agencies and organizations such as the Book Industry Charitable Foundation or the American Booksellers Association
How to Help
During periods of crisis, SIBA compiles a list of resources from member stores in affected areas that will most directly benefit their communities.
No current resource requests.
Bookstores in Crisis Areas
During hurricanes, fires, or other natural disasters SIBA will list bookstores in the affected areas along with their status, if known.
No current listings.
John Cavalier, co-owner of Cavalier House Books in Denham Springs, Louisiana, shares his strategy for creating an emergency plan for his business that has helped the bookstore weather a crisis.
These tools have been supplied by SIBA member bookstores for use by their bookselling colleagues. Please credit the source of the tool if you use it for your own bookstore.