Library Disaster Recovery

Lessons Learned andOpportunities Seized

Bruce Neville and Anne SchultzCentennial Science and Engineering Library,

University of New Mexico

All photographs by Nancy DennisCopryright 2005, University of New Mexico Libraries,

Used with Permission

The Great Floodof ‘04

Lesson 1: Be Prepared

Lesson 1: Be Prepared

There are things you can do that don’t cost money

Lesson 1: Be Prepared

There are things you can do that don’t cost money

Identify Priorities

Lesson 1: Be Prepared

There are things you can do that don’t cost money

Identify PrioritiesHave a recovery contractor on

“retainer”

Lesson 2: Know what you have

Lesson 2: Know what you have

What’s hiding in the corners?

Lesson 2: Know what you have

What’s hiding in the corners?How good is your catalog or

shelf list?

Lesson 3: Life goes on

Lesson 3: Life goes on

You can’t overcommunicate!

Lesson 3: Life goes on

You can’t overcommunicate!Maintain essential services

Lesson 4: Don’t assume

Lesson 4: Don’t assume

Outside contractors

Lesson 4: Don’t assume

Outside contractorsLabelling

Lesson 4: Don’t assume

Outside contractorsLabelling

Everything takes longer than you think

Lesson 5: Others need healing, too

Lesson 5: Others need healing, too

Make opportunities to help

Lesson 5: Others need healing, too

Make opportunities to helpProvide closure

So Where Are We Now?

So Where Are We Now?

Everything that wasn’t in boxes before is out of boxes now

So Where Are We Now?

Everything that wasn’t in boxes before is out of boxes now

All shelves are read, but still need a complete shift

So Where Are We Now?

Everything that wasn’t in boxes before is out of boxes now

All shelves are read, but still need a complete shift

Still have areas walled off and skylights covered in plastic

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