Publication on disasters

Multimedia Field Guide to Emergency Response published by Heritage
Preservation

Every year, hundreds of museums, libraries, archives, and historic
sites across the country experience emergencies large and small. In
most cases, staff and volunteers are unprepared. The new Field Guide
to Emergency Response explains clearly and simply the steps to take
in the first few hours of a disaster, enabling even those with no
prior training to save collections without endangering themselves.

The Field Guide to Emergency Response distills the expertise of
conservation professionals who have responded to disasters such as
Hurricane Katrina and the recent flooding in the Northeast. Its
interactive nature makes it unique. In addition to an easy-to-follow
handbook, a companion DVD illustrates salvage techniques for typical
problems like mud, mold, and soot. The DVD can be used on-site in a
laptop or vehicle player, as well as for preparedness training. Also
included are information panels that can be customized before
disaster strikes, as well as helpful checklists such as a Disaster
Supplies Shopping List organized by type of store.

"The Heritage Health Index found that 80 percent of cultural
institutions lack an emergency plan with staff trained to carry it
out," said Heritage Preservation President Lawrence Reger. "The
Field Guide to Emergency Response will help those institutions get
through an emergency and then better prepare for the next one."

The National Endowment for the Humanities funded the development of
the Field Guide and the distribution of 5,000 free copies to
nonprofit institutions in early August, before the peak of hurricane
season. NEH Chairman Bruce Cole noted that small institutions in
Gulf Coast states will be among the primary beneficiaries of the
complimentary distribution. He added, "The Field Guide to Emergency
Response is a significant and timely new tool for educators,
archivists, and curators. Books, records, manuscripts, art, and
cultural artifacts remain at risk from emergencies. For institutions
with important collections, the Field Guide provides staff with
information to protect treasures under their care."

The Field Guide to Emergency Response follows Heritage
Preservation's successful Emergency Response and Salvage Wheel,
which has become the gold standard for practical salvage advice for
collections. The handy slide chart is found in more than 40
countries and has been translated into six languages. Both
publications were produced in support of the Heritage Emergency
National Task Force, which Heritage Preservation co-sponsors with
the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  To learn more, visit
<URL:http://www.heritageemergency.org>.

The Field Guide has already won fans among early reviewers: "Every
museum administrator should have a Field Guide handy at all times,"
said Jack Nokes, Executive Director, Texas Association of Museums.
Randy Silverman, Preservation Librarian, University of Utah Marriott
Library, said, "This straightforward primer is an invaluable tool
for emergency planners and responders, small collecting
institutions, and the public. The Field Guide is a real life saver!"

The Field Guide is available for $29.95; it can be purchased with
the Wheel for a special price of $34.95. Both are available at
Heritage Preservation's secure online Bookstore at
<URL:http://www.heritagepreservation.org/catalog/> or by calling
toll-free 888-388-6789.

For over 30 years, Heritage Preservation has been the national,
nonprofit advocate for the proper care of all cultural heritage-in
museums, libraries, homes, and town squares. For more information,
visit <URL:http://www.heritagepreservation.org>.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is an independent
federal agency created in 1965. It is the largest funder of
humanities programs in the United States. For more information,
visit <URL:http://www.neh.gov>.

Mary Rogers
Program Assistant
Heritage Emergency National Task Force and Heritage Health Index
Heritage Preservation, Inc.
1012 14th St. NW, Suite 1200
Washington DC 20005
202-233-0835
Fax: 202-233-0807


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 20:8
                 Distributed: Wednesday, August 2, 2006
                        Message Id: cdl-20-8-010
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