The AP (via the Leesville Daily Leader) discusses how libraries in and around New Orleans have sought to rebuild collections destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Some libraries are taking this as an opportunity to try to update titles, "with greater concentrations of best sellers and political tell-alls interlarded with a sampling of classics and reference books, especially the manuals on home repair, interior decorating and landscaping that are in high demand since Katrina."

Many libraries were underfunded before Katrina. Insurance and FEMA have provided some financial help, but a reduced tax base may cut into available money from local governments.

In many systems, the main library fared well but branch libraries' collections were ruined. This has led certain systems to tailor replacement collections more closely than before to branch patrons' tastes and interests. For example, "Jefferson librarians bought books in Spanish when reopening the Kenner branch, an area that has become something of a magnet for Hispanic people and for Spanish-speaking work crews. To help native English speakers who work with the crews, they added compact discs that teach 'Spanish for contractors.' " Similarly "when restocking the Alvar branch in the Bywater neighborhood, library staff bolstered the supply of gay and lesbian material and added books deemed to be of interest to African-Americans."

Some libraries have weeded out older books, even "some perfectly good books."

The many donations of used books have been a mixed blessing. Some of the books have been useful, but many are "too dated or obscure" to keep. Some donations have been laughable: for example, a New Orleans branch received a pallet of Russian-English dictionaries. In addition, shortages of staff have made processing books difficult.

On the other hand, libraries have been grateful for donations of new books, particularly direct from publishers. At the New Orleans Public Library, a vendor helping to unload some 5,000 books donated by publishers called the event "Extreme Makeover: Library Edition."