The

announces...

Leaky Pipes and Broken Windows:
Disaster Preparedness for Libraries and Archives

Are You Prepared?

(Most libraries and archives are not!)

Do You Have a Plan?

(Most of these institutions do not!)

Are you having problems determining what information you need for your disaster plan? Have you collected information but cannot seem to put it into a format that works as a cohesive plan? Are you having problems getting started on developing your institutional disaster plan? Have you had problems with frozen pipes or another type of disaster in the recent past?

Developing an emergency preparedness plan is crucial to the survival of an institution's collections in the event of a disaster, as was so clearly demonstrated following Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. All too many institutions are not prepared and do not have a plan.

The Leaky Pipes and Broken Windows workshop will introduce participants to a disaster, the theory and practice of developing a disaster preparedness plan, and describe and demonstrate dPlan: an Online Disaster Planning Tool.

This workshop will be offered at seven locations statewide. Come and learn first-hand what to do before, during and after an emergency. Wear your grubbies, bring a bag lunch, and be prepared to participate actively in simulated disaster activities.

Workshops run from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note there is a 25 person maximum per workshop. If there is a large enough waiting list, we will schedule another workshop.

Schedule of 2006 Disaster Preparedness Workshops (Leaky Pipes and Broken Windows):

• Friday, May 5, 2006 - Blackstone Public Library
• Wednesday, May 10, 2006 - Lakeville Free Public Library
• Thursday, May 18, 2006 - Palmer Public Library
• Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - Levi Heywood Memorial Library, Gardner
• Tuesday, May 30, 2006 - Rowley Public Library
• Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - Meekins Public Library, Williamsburg
• Thursday, June 8, 2006 - Sargent Memorial Library, Boxborough

Please register by Friday, April 21, 2006.

To register, email your name, library, and workshop location to Rachel Devin - rachel.devin@state.ma.us

For further information, contact:
Gregor Trinkaus-Randall at (617) 725-1860 x 236 or (800) 952-7403 x 236 or e-mail: gregor.trinkaus-randall@state.ma.us