Cooperative disaster preparedness

Audrey Yardley-Jones <conservation [at] museumsalberta__ab__ca> writes

>I am interested in the concept of communal disaster
>supplies--sharing salvage and recovery supplies between museums.
>While this is a common recommendation in disaster preparedness, I
>would like to hear from people who have actually set up a system.
>Advice about what works and what doesn't would be much appreciated.

In Massachusetts, using LSTA (Library Services and Technology Funds)
we purchased 1500 Rescubes, 30 ReactPaks, and 15 thermohygrometers
(Min-Max). These have been distributed (100, 2, 1) to 15 public
libraries throughout the state, and their existence and whereabouts
have been widely publicized.  They are available to any cultural
institution in Massachusetts that suffers a disaster.  The only
requirement is that the institution return the supplies when they
are completed.  The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
(MBLC), the agency that purchased them, will restock the ReactPaks
if necessary.

Note that this program is part of the MBLC's Emergency Assistance
Program in which there are at least a dozen Disaster Preparedness
Workshops presented throughout the state each year, a contract has
been let to the NEDCC to provide technical assistance to public
libraries in case the MBLC staff (me) is not available to provide
such assistance, and finally a contract was let to Munters Moisture
Control for freezing and drying of library and archival materials in
public libraries if MBLC or NEDCC staff determine that disaster
recovery in an institution is beyond the capabilities of a
particular library's staff.

Brochures, etc. are available upon request.

Gregor Trinkaus-Randall, M.L.S., C.A.
Preservation Specialist
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
648 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02215-2070
617-267-9400 or 800-952-7403 (in-state)
Fax: 617-421-9833


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 14:37
                 Distributed: Tuesday, January 9, 2001
                       Message Id: cdl-14-37-007
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