Protecting Library Collections: Emergency Preparedness, Planning & Response

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!

In this workshop, 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.

Instructor: Julie Page is the Head of the Preservation Department for the UCSD Libraries and coordinator for SILDRN (San Diego/Imperial County Libraries Disaster Response Network). She has been very active in disaster preparedness and response training for California libraries. She is a trainer for the AIC NEH-funded Emergency Response for Cultural Institutions program and has presented workshops for the American Library Association, Special Libraries Association, California Libraries Association, International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection, California State Parks, and the Heritage Emergency National Task Force. She currently serves on the advisory committees for the FEMA Cultural Heritage Training Curriculum and the Heritage Preservation Field Guide to Emergency Response. She is a consultant for the California State Library, coordinating the California Preservation Program and its statewide training, building surveys and information resources. Julie has published in the areas of preservation education and disaster preparedness and is active in ALA and the statewide California Preservation Program Steering Committee.

Where:
This program will be held at Loyola Marymount University, in the McIntosh Room, University Hall, Room 3999, at the North end of the building. University Hall is the first structure on the right when you enter the campus from Lincoln Blvd. Parking is available beneath University Hall. Parking is free, but check in with the guard at the entrance to the campus.

For driving directions and campus maps: http://www.lmu.edu/Page69.aspx

REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 9 AM, WITH THE PROGRAM RUNNING FROM 9:30 TO 4:00.

THIS WORKSHOP IS LIMITED TO 54 PARTICIPANTS.

To register send a check for $60.00 payable to LAPNet by May 5, 2006 to:

Linda Harris Mehr
Margaret Herrick Library Director
Fairbanks Center for Motion Picture Study
333 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Beverly Hill, CA 90211

INDICATE LUNCH CHOICE WHEN YOU REGISTER: Chicken breast sandwich, Roast beef croissant, or Vegetarian lavosh.

Lunch and parking are included in the registration fee.
Registration questions contact:
Linda Mehr at (310) 247-3033
Email: lmehr@oscars.org

The LAPNet Steering Committee express their appreciation to Alex Justice, Reference Librarian, LMU Libraries, for his work on local arrangements, and to Loyola Marymount University for hosting this workshop.