Nearly a year after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, for many of the area's booksellers life is still far from normal, and each day comes with a sense of uncertainty. This week, and last week, BTW talked to several booksellers who are facing difficult decisions regarding their businesses and others, in sections of New Orleans not heavily damaged by the storm, who are back in business, with sales going well.

Maple Street Book Shop & Maple Street Children's in New Orleans

It has been nearly a year since Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, and since that time, there have been countless stories detailing the storm's destruction and residents' frustration and despair, their struggles to rebuild, and their bravery and determination. Yet, little by little, the reports about Katrina's aftermath are declining in number as media attention centers on more immediate events.

On Tuesday, March 14, a number of Gulf Coast booksellers who were severely affected by Hurricane Katrina came together at Galatoire's restaurant on Bourbon Street for an ABA Booksellers Forum, hosted by ABA COO Oren Teicher, BookSense.com Director Len Vlahos, and Director of Special Projects David Walker.

Hurricane recovery is progressing slowly in New Orleans and southeastern Louisiana, and members of local arts and literary communities are facing tremendous challenges. In addition to coping with personal loss, they are faced with unprecedented cuts to public arts programs, private support jeopardized by a struggling economy, and the absence of vital community members who are scattered throughout the country.

The Bookseller Relief Fund (BRF) recently distributed $80,000 to Gulf Coast booksellers most severely affected by Hurricane Katrina. The disbursement was the second phase of a plan created by the Bookseller Relief Fund Board to provide humanitarian assistance to those most in need.

As reported previously in Bookselling This Week, the Bookseller Relief Fund (BRF) is now accepting applications for additional assistance under its Phase Two procedure. The owner of any retail bookstore establishment within the federally declared disaster area is eligible to apply.

The following bookstores, publishers, distributors, regional booksellers associations, and individuals have all generously contributed to the Bookseller Relief Fund, which was established by the American Booksellers Association in response to the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

The second phase of the Bookseller Relief Fund (BRF) effort, established by the American Booksellers Association in response to the devastation wrought by this season's hurricanes, is now underway. Under Phase Two, a subcommittee of the Bookseller Relief Fund Board will consider more expansive requests for assistance from the owners of bookstores within federally declared disaster areas.

The first wave of Phase One Bookseller Relief Fund (BRF) grants will be mailed to 35 booksellers in the hurricane ravaged Gulf Coast by the end of this week. The grants of $500 each are meant to provide assistance for temporary housing, food, clothing, transportation, medical expenses, and/or other personal items lost or damaged during the storms.

This week, as part of its continuing coverage of the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on the booksellers of the Gulf Coast, Bookselling This Week talks to Scott Naugle of Pass Christian Bookstore in Pass Christian, Mississippi, and New Orleans booksellers Britton Trice of Garden District Bookshop, Cynthia Dike of Maple Street Books and Maple Street Children's, Tom Lowenburg of Octavia Books, and Joanne Sealy of DeVille Books.