Hurricanes, Tornados and Flooding: The Spanish Inquisition for Libraries
By Erin Mettling, University of Washington iSchool Student
No one expects the Spanish Inquisition! Even when one does, it is difficult to protect against it fully. There is no offensive when it comes to the Spanish Inquisition; one can only be on the defensive. What am I on about? In this instance, the Spanish Inquisition is a natural disaster, and libraries need a preparedness plan for when one strikes. These plans range from basic fire procedures to what is to be done with the collection in the event of flooding, building damage and bug infestation.
There is no way to prevent a storm. They happen despite our wishes. Under some preparedness plans, the rarest or most valuable items in a library’s collection are saved. They are removed at the time of a drill, or they are kept in water- or fire-proof vaults. Not everything can be saved in the event of disaster striking, so plans for repairs in the aftermath of destruction must be made.
I started thinking about all of this about a week ago. I was has having a conversation with my new landlord about books. It moved from what we’ve read recently to what is done in libraries that have been hit by a storm of any kind. He wanted to know what happens when the damage is on a scale as large as Katrina or Irene. What if the library doesn’t have the money needed to save the water-damaged books? What happens when the mold sets in and the infrastructure needs repair or rebuilding? He suggested a library emergency response unit that would have portable book dryers. They would be the first on the scene of a disaster, save what books they can, and write up the initial report for the insurance claim.
In theory, this would be amazing and work wonders. It would give librarians peace of mind to have a quick response team waiting in the wings after a hurricane like Katrina or Irene, or like the tornadoes that tear through the Mid-West. We would be able to save more books before flooding washes them away, and that, in the long run, would save libraries some money, which could then be used for rebuilding and restocking the shelves. The downside is that the machines needed to dry water-damaged books are not portable. They are large enough to take up factory floors. They press water from the pagers, or they spin them dry. Disaster plans are necessary. It is important to know what steps will be taken should the worst happen. The American Library Association’s website is a good resource for creating plans. They provide a step-by-step guide for building a plan that best suits any particular library’s needs. After having a plan, the question of how to pay for everything arises.
A library can be prepared to handle the aftermath of the likes of Katrina or Irene, but if there’s no money, repairs to the building and the repair or replacement of books are next to impossible. Many libraries do not have the funding to implement even the best laid plans. They are, arguably, the heart of communities, especially in times of crises. They provide the resources that people need to move forward, but after a disaster they might not be able to reopen their doors because they did not have the money to repair damages.
There is a silver lining. According to Librarian.net, it is now possible for libraries to apply for grants through FEMA after disaster strikes. They are able to get money they need to get back on their feet, but it is not always enough. There are instances, such as after Katrina, where libraries were closed permanently. The buildings were no longer safe, and they could not find a way to replace every volume they once held. While damaged libraries do need replacement books, what they need most is funding.
There is a list here of New York State libraries that need help since Irene swept across the east coast. There is a way to make donations to these libraries online, should you feel the urge to give. Librarything also has a list. Theirs is more extensive as it covers more than New York.
No one expects the Spanish Inquisition! Even when one does, the best offense is a good aftermath defense. Money is needed as much as a good disaster plan, though the latter is easier to make than the former.
Tags: disaster plan, natural disasters, preparedness, saving books
