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 2009 Workshops
Online registration available approximately 2 months before the first workshop date. Please check back for updated information.

California
May 4 and June 1 — Richmond Public Library
May 5 and June 3 — Butte County Library — Oroville
October 6 and November 10 — Corona Public Library
October 22 and December 17 — Chapman University — Orange

Colorado
July 15 and September 18 -— University of Colorado & Naropa University — Boulder

Hawaii
June 29 and August 10 — University of Hawaii, Manoa Library — Honolulu

Idaho
August 5 and September 18 — Idaho Commission for Libraries — Boise

Montana
September 16 and October 14 — Bozeman Public Library
September 18 and October 16 — Great Falls Public Library

Nevada
October and December— Las Vegas

Oregon
July 23 and August 3 — Jackson County Library — Medford Branch

Utah
May 8 and June 12 — John Westley Powell River History Museum — Green River

Washington
September 16 nd November 3 — University of Washington, Odegaard Undergraduate Library — Seattle
Summer/Fall — Vancouver

Wyoming
September 14 and October 12 — Sublette County Library — Pinedale & Teton County Library — Jackson

Course documents for downloading click here.