Library Disaster Plan ElementsPurpose: Provide an overview of library disaster plans for

those beginning to construct one.

Contents:– Introduction– Organizing personnel– Organizing facilities– Organizing materials

preservation– Organizing information

technology– Organizing roles &

servicesCredit: Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Check_sheet.svg

Library Disaster Plan Introduction

• Library disaster plans are also called: hurricane, emergency, COntinuity of OPerations (COOP) plans.

• There is plenty of guidance on how to do a plan -- too much. It is easy to be daunted and overwhelmed.

• Advice: Do a little each year & work with a group.

Credit: Computer.png from Wikimedia Commons,

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Computer.png

Library Disaster Plan Introduction

• Most current plans adopt the FEMA all hazards approach – the plan prepares the library for all potential hazards not just one.

• Most plans “fail” in the face of disaster.

Credit: scoop shovel Clip Art http://www.pdclipart.org/displayimage.php?album=146&pos=53

Introduction: Why Plan If Most Plans Fail?

• To get library personnel (and others) to think and act together prior to a disaster.

• Build relations and coordination with fellow key responders like emergency management, utilities, police, fire, other libraries.

• A plan pre-assembles assets for use when improvising community (and library) restoration and recovery if/when the plan “fails.”

Credit: Gwt Icon http://www.clker.com/clipart-9731.html

Library Disaster Plan ElementsIntroduction (Continued)

What are key library disaster assets?– Personnel– Facilities & Equipment– Materials– Information

Technology– Roles & Services

Credit: Hardware Symbol 2 Clip Art http://www.pdclipart.org/displayimage.php?album=145&pos=48

IntroductionWhat is a Disaster Plan?

A disaster plan is the identification, organization, pre-coordination and preparation of key library disaster assets for the improvisational use during and after a disaster.

Credit: tools icon Clip Art http://www.pdclipart.org/displayimage.php?album=145&pos=161

Disaster Plan: Organizing Personnel

• All staff should know why what they do at the library during a disaster matters.

• Not all staff react well to stress and that is OK. Other work can be found.

• Finding ways to communicate when a storm strikes may be difficult or impossible.

• All staff need to know staff disaster related policies & procedures.

• FEMA offers free online training that may apply.

Credit: Free busywman Clipart http://www.freeclipartnow.com/people/women/busywman.jpg.html

Disaster Plan: Organizing Facilities

Key Tasks:• Assess vulnerability, do

mitigation, Emergency Management can help;

• Address insurance: How much, how to write, how to claim, annual inventory;

• Securing facilities;• Assess facilities after a storm• Reopen facilities• Supply caches

Credit: HHS be... hurricane prepared.gif from Wikimedia Commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HHS_be..._hurricane_prepared.gif

Disaster Plan: Organizing Materials Preservation

• Assess collection risks & damage. See Miami-Dade; Heritage Preservation; Clifton; NARA; SAA;

• Assume that cost of drying or cleaning materials is not cost effective unless collection is irreplaceable.

• Identify & protect vital library (including individual) records (& software). See Collier;

• Assemble preservation supplies cache.

Credit: Radio clip art http://www.clker.com/clipart-24945.html

Disaster Plan: Organizing Information Technology

Tasks include:• Hardening IT;• Backing up software,

data, systems & individuals;

• Obtaining redundant telecommunications;

FEMA Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS) workers Colleen Higgins and Dave Houchins are completing telecommunications setup on the FEMA DRC at the Leon County (FL) Public Library. Credit: FEMA photo library, http://www.photolibrary.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?

id=38048

Disaster Plan: Organizing Roles & Services

• What public library community hurricane service roles will the library adopt? Why?

• What policies & procedures are needed?

• What supplies should be cached?

• What advertising is needed? Lehigh Acres, FL Credit: From FEMA photo library

http://www.photolibrary.fema.gov/photolibrary/photo_details.do?id=38306

Parting Shots

• Rome wasn’t built in a day neither should your plan – start small and add each year.

• Involve all your staff – explain why they matter.

• Assemble assets to be called on when plans fail and improvisation begins.

• Work with your partner responders.