County libraries offer help to hurricane-ravaged town

They may have shelter and food. But three months after Hurricane Katrina, thousands on the Gulf Coast still thirst for a good book, homework help or a place to e-mail.

At least 40 libraries in Mississippi alone sustained some sort of damage. In Pearlington, a town of about 1,600, more than 20 feet of water ravaged a modern public library, destroying its contents.

Now Pearlington is getting help from Anne Arundel County's library system in partnership with the Maryland Library Association.

On Dec. 16, a bookmobile carrying 3,000 books and laptop computers will leave Maryland bound for Pearlington. The donated school...