Hurricane Katrina took nearly everything from Waveland, Miss., a small, historic community on the Gulf Coast, including its public library.

"One of many tragic losses in Waveland was the community's public library," said Dawn Kitchell, coordinator of The Missourian's (a newspaper that's helping to publicize efforts to rebuild libraries destroyed by Katrina) educational programs. "Renovated and expanded just a few years ago, it was an important part of the community."

Inspired by the story of "Stone Soup" volunteers are taking donations to rebuild the library. The volunteers are asking for new or gently used hardcovers to implement the project.

Whitewright's Friends of the Library group has already selected some books to send to their fellow library in need, and the public may make donations at the library (must be received by February 10th) or by mailing books directly to:

Our current funds for the building project are (numbers are rounded up):

Checking:           $  2,700
2 CDs totaling:  $15,300
Total:                  $18,000

Our next "benchmark" for the project is $20,000 to pay for technical drawings for the building. We currently have a grant proposal submitted to a local foundation for this amount.

Our progress so far includes purchase and donation of land (located at 223 W Grand, next to the bank parking lot), plus demolition of the house previously on the property, as well as an artist's concept drawing and proposed floorplan. You can read more details here.