Disaster Preparedness for Libraries
Before, during and after a disaster, libraries become critical assets to a community: for shelter and safe respite, access to power and the Internet, for need-to-know up-to-date information, for help filing claims. The library can also play an important role in building a community's resilience to disaster: with programs and services to help families prepare and recover.
Every library needs a simple disaster response plan to keep staff and patrons safe and mitigate damage. Here are some resources to get started:
- Local County and Tribal Department of Emergency Services contacts (2015)
- Panel of experts from 10/24/2016 Disaster Ready Summit held at the Montana State Library - contact information
- Faculty from Disaster Ready Summit 10/24/2016 - contact information:
- Susan Yowell - susanyowell@gmail.com
- Daniel Wilson - dtw2t@eservices.virginia.edu
- Joann Flick - MT State Library CE Coordinator jflick@mt.gov
- Ready for a Really, Really Bad Day - presentation slides from MLS 3/31/2017
- Presentation slides from Disaster Ready Summit 10/24/2016
- Disaster Ready Summit brochure
- Stafford Act (rev. 2013): recovery assistance for libraries
- Sample for Pocketsized Disaster Response Plan
- Pocketsized Disaster Response Plan - template
- Montana online resources for information and assistance
- First Aid Kit - recommendations for libraries
Every library will benefit from disaster response training. One way that libraries can conduct training with their staff is by participating in a discussion - based disaster drill. This is a simplified version of a drill that does not involve any real-life type of activities. Following the "table-top" training model used by fire, police and emergency medical providers, these scenarios were created for libraries to discuss and to consider their own situation and community. Simply print copies of the scenarios and use the worksheets provided to discuss how you would respond to the scenario.
Hurricane Sandy has become a model for the value of libraries during and after a disaster. Visit the NJ State Library's website for more resources and presentation materials
