All of us share common feelings of outrage, frustration, sadness and concern about the incredibly tragic and horrendous events of September 11. We have identified at least one MLA member who worked in the World Trade Center; thankfully her name appears on one of the survivor lists. Our prayers and support go out to her, other health sciences library colleagues, and all others who have been impacted by this tragedy through the injury or loss of family and friends. We are deeply saddened by these events, but also heartened by the messages of support that we have received from colleagues in other countries.

MLA Treasurer Mark Funk, who works at the Samuel J. Wood Library of the Cornell University Medical College in New York, e-mailed us the following today: "Everyone here at the library is fine, although our lives will certainly never be the same. About 50,000 people worked in the Twin Towers, and it will take weeks or longer to know the full toll. I think the degree of separation between any New Yorker and a casualty will be two: you either knew someone who died, or know someone who knew someone who died. ... A native midwesterner, I have lived in NYC for 14 years, and adopted it as my own within six months of moving here. The pace, the buzz, the talent, the variety of culture and cultures are captivating. That is all muted now, and will take some time to return. New York will forever be divided into a Before and an After, but it will still be forever."

We know that many of you are probably involved in some way in reaching out to help with the recovery through blood donations and other kinds of support. Please let us know what you or your library is doing to offer assistance, support or services to the victims, survivors, and their families or any experiences that you have had related to this tragedy by emailing Carla Funk. We will share your messages with your colleagues through both FOCUS and MEDLIB-L. Also, the American Red Cross is working with the association community through the American Society of Association Executives to raise financial support for the relief and recovery efforts. They are collecting all donations at ASAE Red Cross Fund, ASAE Building, 1575 I Street NW, Washington, DC 20005 for all those who would like to contribute.

Sincerely,