Idaho Commission for Libraries

The first round of the WESTPAS workshops on "Protecting Library & Archive Collections: Disaster Preparedness, Response, & Recovery" was conducted in Eastern Idaho at the Portneuf District Library and then in Southwestern Idaho at the Garden City Library. Kris Kern of the Preservation Unit of Portland State University presented a wealth of information regarding preventative measures for preserving collections during times of disaster. By the end of the second session in August, each participating library will have developed a disaster plan that meets their specific needs.

Key steps in disaster preparedness include prevention, preparation, and response as well as recovery and follow-through. An emergency is an unanticipated or threatening event that requires immediate action, while a disaster is an emergency that gets out of control. Time can be a critical factor as to whether or not items can be recovered. Some preventative steps that you can observe:

1. Have plastic sheeting and duct tape available in case of disaster.
2. If your facility is undergoing construction, do a walk through every day right after workers leave and then another walk thru about 1.5 hours later.
3. All materials should be at least 4" from the floor.
4. Don't store the most precious or valuable items in the basement.

Disaster planning is the last thing we want to think of, however, it is the first thing we should do. Every library should have a plan which identifies contacts, immediate response actions, assessment procedures, communication, and collection salvage -- what are your collection priorities. If you missed the workshop and would like more information about disaster planning, click here for the workshop documents. The first document is a list of web and print resources. The last four book resources listed can be accessed through ICFL's Professional Development Service.

For north Idaho libraries there will be a workshop held in Spokane this fall, the dates will be announced soon.

Here are some examples of recent disasters: Cedar Rapids Library
University of Iowa Library

If you would like more information, please contact Shirley Biladeau