About the Library Resources and Collections Research Guide

Preservation

Disaster

Generally speaking, the Library policy on disaster and emergency reponse is summed up in these points:

• Human life is the first priority. Thus, our first response in an emergency is to verify the safety of the staff and users of the library.

• Once the safety of the people in the library is assured, and the building is deemed safe to enter, salvage of library materials is acceptable.

• The best way to ensure the maximum safety of human life AND the maximum salvage of library materials is through a well-organized, thorough, and well-communicated disaster plan.

The Library has a Disaster Response Plan which is available to library staff only. There is also a quick reference called the Rainbow Flyer, which is also made available to library student workers. If you have questions concerning either of these documents, please contact Joe Dolson, Serials & Preservation Associate

Education

The Preservation Working Group develops education projects within the library concerning everything from emergency response to materials preservation.

PWG Education Initiatives include:

• Rainbow flyer (quick reference guide to emergency procedures), updated regularly and distributed to all library employees.

• Orientation for new library student employees and library staff on the care and handling of materials and on safety and security issues.

• Distribute library approved mugs to all incoming first-year students and new faculty, including inserts regarding the library food and drink policy

• Enforce food and drink policies via routine staff sweeps of the floor and hand-outs

• Distribute library approved bottle tops for use with water and pop bottles.

• Cooperate with other campus departments to encourage use of library-approved beverage containers.

• Promote awareness of preservation issues through signage, use of display cases, and table tents

• Distribute promotional materials featuring preservation issues such as:

  • Rainy day book bags

  • Book marks

  • Security reminders

  • Notices in campus publications

• Staff forums covering diverse topics such as key access, fire extinguishers, safety, and game show style team exercises
  
  
• Library employee review and practice of safety issues and fire drills
  
  
• Train library student employees on repair of library materials and binding
  
  
• Educate public service staff to review incoming materials to identify those needing repair

At the DeWitt Wallace Library, NO food is permitted in the public spaces of the building unless part of a library-sponsored event. These events will usually be restricted to certain spaces of the library where there are either no or few items present that are susceptible to damage from food leavings. There are certain areas where food is NEVER allowed, such as Archives and Rare Books.

Appropriate Beverage Containers:

Beverages may be consumed in the library if they are in a library-approved, covered containers, such as the following:

Inappropriate Beverage Containers:

The following containers are NOT allowed to be used in the library:

Materials

• Remove books from the shelf by firmly grasping them on both sides of the covers. Never pull a volume off the shelf by grabbing the spine.

• When you're finished using a book in the library, return it to one of the "material return" carts. There should always be at least one cart on each level, near the main stairwell.

• Don't "crack" the spine of a book open - please, just use both hands to hold it open.

• Keep your books either in a fully vertical or fully horizontal position when you're not using them - leaning at an angle is one of the things that REALLY harms books.

• Treat your library books like they belong to the thousands of students who will need them after you leave.

• Never eat while reading a library book.

• BE NICE TO THE BOOKS

Links

• CoOl: Conservation Resources Online.


One of the fundamental resources for preservation and conservation in libraries and museums. Includes substantial sections organized by conservation topic, links to most conservation or preservation organizations, and a 10-year archive of the "ConsDist" Listserv.

• Northeast Document Conservation Center.


Includes information about their services, a calendar, publications, and frequently asked questions. Technical leaflets are included in full text for a wide variety of preservation issues, including Emergency Management and Salvage Operations.

• National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.


An office of the National Park Service which promotes preservation. A database of preservation related web sites, list-serves, usenet groups and other online electronic resources.

• Association of Research Libraries.


Includes the Preservation Planning program, links to the digital preservation initiative, links to NRMM RECON project, and links to preservation related publications.

• OCLC.


Offers professional consultation, workshops and training in preservation issues and practices. Includes bibliography on digital archiving, preservation project planning, micrographic production and storage.

• Kodak.


Links to articles explaning how touse photo cd disks for image archiving and preservation. Also from Kodak are a page explaining proper storage and handling of photographic materials to minimize damage, and a comprehensive microfilm/media disaster recovery program.

• CLIR - Council on Library and Information Resources.


A library group with a strong focus on preservation and access issues. Goals to ensure that information resources remain available for future generations through themes of preservation, awareness, digitization and valuation. Includes publications, many of which are full text online, ordering information, technical reports, and research briefs.

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