News Library News Online
Vol. 23, No. 1/Fall 2001

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Leigh PoitingerAside Bar
By Leigh Poitinger

 

September 11th. There hasn't been much else on my mind since then. As UK librarian Andy Murdoch commented on Newslib, "Quite simply, it is the only news story around right now."

In times of crises, the American public turns to the media to explain not only what happened, but also why it happened. In that context, the September 11th tragedy and America's response to it may be the most important project that any of us ever work on.

It's a chance to fulfill the public service mission of the news like no other time. This story is more meaningful and more important than most stories that have occupied the news in recent years -- O.J. Simpson, Monica Lewinsky, etc. This is the most serious crisis that America has faced in fifty years, and it has affected not just the United States but much of the world. And news librarians have risen to the challenge.

But it's more than a news story. Jody Habayeb and I felt it was important to also include a personal perspective. That's why we asked News Division members to contribute their thoughts and feelings about the event as well as how they responded professionally.

Jennifer O'Neill, Library Director of the Florida Times Union, had this to say:

"I'm from New York and have been in Florida just five years. I remember my dad taking me downtown, where he worked, when I was a little girl to show me the towers when they were completed. He was so proud you'd have thought he built them himself. I lost two friends on September 11th from Cantor Fitzgerald. One I've known for 24 years. As I watched the events unfold live along with the rest of the newsroom I felt so homesick. Then the flurry started and I haven't relaxed since. There is no time for grieving in news."

In this issue, Richard Drezen of the Washington Post has also contributed a heartfelt and affecting look at the events and aftermath of the attacks. And Margot Williams and Bridget Roeber describe how their team handled the complex research involved in these events.

I hope that as time goes on and we have a chance to reflect on how we handled the events -- both personally and professionally -- that themes and ideas for future contributions to news librarianship will emerge from those discussions. In future issues I'd like to explore some of the partnerships and strategies that have been developed after the attacks.

The timing of this issue of News Library News was tough -- the deadline was only weeks after the terrorist attacks, when everyone was scrambling to fulfill huge research requests, to archive larger-than-usual papers and to absorb the shock of what happened. I'd like to sincerely thank everyone who has contributed to this issue.

This issue is dedicated to the memory of those who lost their lives that day and to their family, friends and colleagues.


Leigh Poitinger is the News Research Director at the San Jose Mercury News. You can contact her at lpoitinger@sjmercury.com.