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Public Librarians’ Response to Hurricanes: Lessons, Issues and Strategies

Public Librarians’ Response to Hurricanes: Lessons, Issues and Strategies. Rebecca Hamilton State Librarian State Library of Louisiana. Lessons Learned. Existing emergency plans are inadequate Business continuity was not a focus of library disaster planning

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Public Librarians’ Response to Hurricanes: Lessons, Issues and Strategies

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  1. Public Librarians’ Response to Hurricanes: Lessons, Issues and Strategies Rebecca Hamilton State Librarian State Library of Louisiana

  2. Lessons Learned Existing emergency plans are inadequate Business continuity was not a focus of library disaster planning Traditional lists of staff home phone numbers are inadequate Library’s role is to be a communications hub and to provide information

  3. State Library Response • Be central clearinghouse for information about libraries, for libraries and for library staff. • Act as spokesperson to the national media for information about libraries in the state • Coordinate donations and “adoption” services • Provide whatever is needed: technical support, staff, office space, website hosting, etc. • Provide support and direction

  4. State Library Support & Direction • Legislative auditor provided training in FEMA process • Hosted SOLINET disaster planning workshop • Established secure Extranet for public libraries to post disaster plans • Compiled information for lawmakers on damages, costs of rebuilding, library needs...

  5. Role of Public Libraries in their Communities • Internet access; help with computer use • Food, phone, fax • Listen and offer support • Temporary cards • Story hours at shelters • Normalcy • Distribution point for other relief agencies

  6. “Libraries are not essential services” – FEMA, Cameron Parish, 2006

  7. Public Libraries as First Responders • Coordinate with local emergency mgt svs • Be “at the table” in all local planning sessions before the disaster hits • Promote what the library can do to help • Portray yourself as a communications hub, not a book storehouse • Have your own records in order.

  8. Basic Library Records • Payroll, timesheets • Contact information, cell numbers, home numbers, PIN numbers, more numbers • Inventory of your building, collections, etc. • Copies of insurance policies • Disaster recovery services contracts and agreements.

  9. Gustav and Ike Three Years Later

  10. Everyone Better Prepared • Contact information • Web site ready-to-go • Blog • Backup server in Monroe • New IT infrastructure

  11. State Library IT Preparations • The State Library systems never lost power. • We were up when the rest of state government was down for 5 days. • We had other state agencies and state officials sitting in our parking lot with laptops using our wireless connection.

  12. IT Preparations: Used • Generator Power • Server Room • Backups • Backup server • Disaster website • Wireless access

  13. IT Preparations: Not Used • Matching servers so hardware was interchangeable • Secured non-essential servers in closet • Core services backed up identically on all servers • Tape backups stored in safe, in closet and off site • Inexpensive backup hard drive

  14. Next Steps • Portable generator to run laptops • More functionality needed for backup server in Monroe • Set up command center with cable, Internet, computers, phones, printer, etc. • Develop pre-written press releases and media alerts for local media

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