Notes

Outline

Facilities and Library Preservation Common Sense Approaches to Protecting Collections from Disaster California Preservation Clearinghouse

Library Resources are Vulnerable Fires, floods, earthquakes Some Examples Los Angeles County Library Contra Costa County Courthouse Colorado State University

Are Facilities Adequate? Lack sprinkler systems Lack effective disaster plans Lack mutual aid, other infrastructure

Prevention is Cheap  Recovery is expensive $2 per sq. ft. for sprinklers Contra Costa 1996:  $25,000,000 cost to public  untold cost to individuals

Fire Protection Standards National Fire Protection Assn. NFPA 232 and 232A Archives and Library fuel loads How construction standards address this

“We don’t want a sprinkler system” Wet books Burned books Special considerations for archives

Basic Principals Flood plains Good housekeeping Preventive maintenance

Basic Principals Non-structural earthquake hazards Integrated pest management Controlling renovations

“But we already have effective fire suppression!” Is system well maintained? Is your disaster plan up to date? Do facilities and library staff meet periodically?

“But we already have effective fire suppression!” Fire Dept. briefed and toured? Allied with similar institutions for mutual aid purposes?

“We can’t afford it” Identify problems and prioritize Start working now to obtain needed resources Plan Lobby Educate, create awareness

Create Awareness Organize a disaster exercise Hold a National Fire Awareness Month event in the library Hold an open house for your neighborhood firefighters