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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE… more than buckets and mops. PREPARATION AND RESPONSE:. More than buckets and mops. Sharman Bridges Smith, Executive Director
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HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE… more than buckets and mops PREPARATION AND RESPONSE: More than buckets and mops Sharman Bridges Smith, Executive Director Mississippi Library Commission sharman@mlc.lib.ms.us
LIBRARIES DESTROYED/HEAVILY DAMAGED • 11 public libraries • 44 school libraries • 4 academic libraries Gulfport Public Library
Redefining Disaster – Requires Redefined Preparedness and Response
PREPARE AND RESPOND • Prepare for the Worst • Be A Player • Face Reality/Take Charge
Prepare for the Worst • No communications • No parent institution/governing authority • No infrastructure • No access • No staff • No resources • No library • No normalcy
BE A PLAYER: Before and After the Disaster • Know & be known • Who can help • Set priorities • Share what you know • Know insurance • Communication options • Prior business relations • Pre-emergency authority Pass Christian PL - 2 weeks after Katrina & 2 months after.
Communicate/Use Linkages Larger Priorities Grieve Access, Assess, & Manage Priorities FACE REALITY
Know What You Know • Practice patience/Learn tolerance • Pick your battles • Be a presence/Be part of solution • Speak with authority • Learn to say YES and NO • Reestablish library presence quickly • Hard Lessons, New Opportunities