Recovering from Recovering from Rita:Rita:

Lessons Learned & Disaster Lessons Learned & Disaster PreparednessPreparedness

Rebecca Blakeley, McNeese State University Library

Hurricane RitaHurricane Rita

PreparationsPreparations

•Pre-Disaster Review (Ha!)Pre-Disaster Review (Ha!)

•Wait for closing orderWait for closing order

•Secure Secure allall equipment? equipment?

•Cover shelves? Certain Cover shelves? Certain collections?collections?

•Place signs on doors (duh)Place signs on doors (duh)

•Alert Consortia to closureAlert Consortia to closure

Damaged Library Roof - 4Damaged Library Roof - 4thth Floor Floor

Let’s back up a bit…Let’s back up a bit…

CommunicationCommunication

•Take the “safety manual” with you!Take the “safety manual” with you!

•Get cell phone #s and encourage all Get cell phone #s and encourage all staff to get alternate e-mail staff to get alternate e-mail addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, etc.)

•Keep Consortia updatedKeep Consortia updated

•Put messages on website, blog, Put messages on website, blog, twitter, FaceBook, etc. etc.twitter, FaceBook, etc. etc.

Temporary HQ

How to offer library services when How to offer library services when there is not a real library to work there is not a real library to work

with!with!

•Post signs all over campus Post signs all over campus announcing where you areannouncing where you are

•Be available via phone and/or e-Be available via phone and/or e-mailmail

•Be a “virtual library”Be a “virtual library”

Coping SkillsCoping Skills

•BE PATIENTBE PATIENT

•Cooperate & communicateCooperate & communicate

•Be flexibleBe flexible

•Read up on remediationRead up on remediation

•Relieve stressRelieve stress

The Great Reopening…

Reopening the Library…Reopening the Library…

• Keep in touch w/facilities & Keep in touch w/facilities & administrationadministration

• BE PATIENT – It takes time to remediateBE PATIENT – It takes time to remediate

• Keep in touch with GPO, etc. if you are a Keep in touch with GPO, etc. if you are a government depositorygovernment depository

• Look for ways to replace items lostLook for ways to replace items lost

• Transition issuesTransition issues

Great Mold Outbreak of 2006!

Great Mold Outbreak of 2007!

Other Lessons LearnedOther Lessons Learned&&

Disaster Plans RevisedDisaster Plans Revised