Protecting Library Collections: Emergency Preparedness, Response & Recovery

In the first moments of an emergency, personal safety is your priority. When people and structures are determined to be secure, you may be faced with the overwhelming job of putting your library back in order. The success you have will be the result of how well you have prepared. What do you do first? Who needs to be involved? How can you avoid damaging materials while you rescue them? How do you help staff cope with the trauma?

Can you prevent an emergency from happening in the first place? In addition to large scale emergencies, institutions should also be prepared to respond to the danger to collections from roof leaks, pest infestations, mold blooms, theft, and fire. Disaster mitigation should play a role in any institution's emergency preparedness and planning efforts. Don't be left unprepared!

Who should attend?
Library administrators and those having responsibility for emergency preparedness, response, and decision-making from public, academic, school & special libraries, historical societies & archives.

In this series of two workshops, you will learn to:

• Write or update your library emergency plan.
• Use practical decision-making skills during an emergency.
• Conduct an assessment of your building.
• Set pre- and post-disaster action priorities for your library.
• Pack and air dry wet books, and deal with AV and computer media.
• Work with emergency response service providers and the media.

Part 1: Planning & Response

Oakland: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 – Holy Names University
Sacramento: Tuesday, March 20, 2007 – Secretary of State Building
             
Part 2: Recovery & Training
 
Oakland: Tuesday, May 8, 2007 – Holy Names University
Sacramento:  Tuesday, June 5 – State Museum Resource Center

The two workshop days are scheduled 6 - 10 weeks apart in order for the participants to spend the time between reviewing the emergency preparedness planning in their libraries. Part 2 includes a review and sharing of progress by the participants and assistance with ideas to address any stumbling blocks encountered.

Time:              Two full days — Registration 9:00-9:30, Program 9:30-4:00

Cost:               $45 includes two days and two lunches.

Registration:   Online pre-registration required.

Click here to register...

For registration assistance contact: Kathy Krause krause@plsinfo.org
For general & content information contact: Julie Page jpage@CalPreservation.org

*This training is supported in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the State Librarian.