Protecting Library & Archive Collections:
Disaster Preparedness, Response & Recovery

The “Protecting Library & Archive Collections” workshops are presented in a 2-part sequence to produce the following outcomes for disaster preparedness activities:

• Complete a disaster plan by the end of Part 2.
• Learn how to train staff to implement your plan effectively.
• Set pre- and post-disaster action priorities for your collections.
• Learn how to use practical decision-making skills during an emergency.
• Experience salvage procedures for books, documents, and non-print media.

The workshop days are scheduled 5-10 weeks apart. Participants will prepare short assignments prior to the first session; between sessions, they will undertake additional assignments resulting in a completed disaster plan at the end of Part 2. Upon completion, the institution will be invited to join an informal network of WESTPAS trained personnel to provide mutual aid in the event of emergencies involving collections in the region.

Who should attend:  Administrators and staff responsible for emergency preparedness, response and decision-making, in all types of libraries and archives.  By registering for the workshop, the institution commits to supporting the attendee(s) to achieve the workshop's disaster preparedness goals. When possible, please send two attendees from a library or archive so they can work together on the disaster preparedness activities.

Cost:  No charge to the institution.  Funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Locations and dates: Currently scheduled workshop locations and dates below. For registration see the WESTPAS schedule of workshops.

Summer-Fall 2008 Workshops
Online registration available approximately 2 months before the first workshop date

California
June 16 and October 6 -- Fresno County Library
October 14 and December 2 -- San Diego Historical Society

Colorado
July 10 and September 11 -- Museum of Western History, Grand Junction
July 15 and September 15 -- Rawlings Public Library & CSU Pueblo
July 16 and September 17 -- Centennial & Lakewood libraries, Denver area

Hawaii
June 10 and July 8 -- University of Hawaii, Hilo
June 13 and July 25 -- University of Hawaii-Maui Community College

Idaho
July 9 and August 20 -- Portneuf District Library, Chubbuck
July 11 and August 22 -- Garden City Public Library

Montana
July 14 and August 18 -- Montana State University, Billings
July 16 and August 20 -- University of Montana, Missoula
July 18 and August 22 -- Montana Historical Society, Helena

Nevada
July 14 and August 25 -- Elko County Library

Oregon
July 25 and September 12 -- Crook County Library, Prineville
August 1 and September 8 -- Eugene Public Library

Wyoming
June 30 and August 4 -- Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne
July 2 and August 6 -- Homesteader Museum Gallery, Powell

Course documents for downloading click here.