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Resources

This page offers a curated selection of resources to help organizations and communities prepare for disasters and emergencies, with contributions from colleagues and participants across the field.

This section contains a variety of resources that may assist in emergency preparedness and disaster planning. Please be advised that while we attempt to keep current, websites and information are constantly changing.

Stafford Act

The ‘Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act’ authorizes federal assistance for temporary relocation of public libraries.  Libraries are now included in the list of public facilities that are eligible for federal assistance through FEMA with temporary relocation following a major disaster.

For the language in the Stafford Act, see http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/pa/9253_3.pdf. Eligible public facilities include facilities for police, fire protection/emergency services, medical care, education, libraries, utilities and other essential community services. Full act here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title42/html/USCODE-2009-title42-chap68.htm

Disaster Planning Resources

The Northeast Document Conservation Center Founded in 1973, NEDCC is the first independent conservation laboratory in the United States to focus on paper-based collections. Today, the Center offers an expanded range of services and resources on the conservation of paper, books, and photographs, as well as digital imaging, audio reformatting, and preservation training. to help institutions of all sizes write comprehensive disaster plans.  dPlan can serve the needs of small institutions without in-house preservation staff, and library and museum systems that need to develop separate but related plans for multiple locations. There are extensive resources here: https://www.nedcc.org/free-resources/disaster-assistance and several digital preservation items linked here as well as additional resources by topic. Several states including California, South Carolina, and Kentucky have partnered with NEDCC to bring training to their states.

dPlan: The Online Disaster-Planning Tool: The most comprehensive disaster plans cover the four facets of the emergency management cycle prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery which correspond to before, during, and after a disaster. If you have been meaning to write a disaster plan but your efforts have stalled, the Connecting to Collections webinar recordings and course materials will help you establish the crucial first steps following a disaster. More information here: Writing a Disaster Response Plan: A Guide.

Pocket Response Plans: The Council of State Archivists created The Pocket Response Plan™ (PReP™) is a concise document for recording essential information needed by staff in case of a disaster or other emergency. Sample service continuity plan for libraries that helps you get your services up and running again, as quickly as possible, after a disaster.

HENTF:HENTF’s mission is to protect cultural heritage in our nation’s states, tribes, territories, and local communities from the damaging effects of natural disasters and other emergencies.

Salvage at a Glance Chart: Extensive chart listing type of materials, priority for salvage, handling precautions, packing method, and drying method.  Includes not only maps and books, but also parchment and vellum, prints and drawings, paintings, computer media, audio, photographs of all types, transparencies, motion pictures and microfilm.

Collections and Library Materials/Documents

Copies of these documents are available: An Emergency Cart for Salvaging Water-Damaged Objects, Salvage of Water-Damaged Collections: Salvage at a Glance, Water Emergency Demonstration, How to Deal with Wet Documents

Websites

Video: Drying and Salvaging Water Damaged Books

Vendor Contacts

Other Disaster Planning Resources

Disaster Planning and Response article from Web Junction: In the wake of a disaster it can be difficult to know where to begin the technology recovery process. (Upload PDF here.)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Community and state resources and information from the US Department of Homeland Security and other state and local governments.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT):  https://www.fema.gov/community-emergency-response-teams

CERT educates individuals about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations. Using training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT volunteers can assist others in their community following a disaster when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT volunteers are also encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking an active role in emergency preparedness projects.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/about/nfip_partnership.jsp

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which works closely with more than 80 private insurance companies to offer flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners. In order to qualify for flood insurance, the home or business must be in a community that has joined the NFIP and agreed to enforce sound floodplain 6 management standards. NFIP flood insurance can be purchased through private property and casualty insurance  agents. Rates are set nationally and do not differ from company to company or agent to agent. These rates depend on many factors, which include the date and type of construction of your home, along with your building’s level of risk. 

Weather-Related Information Weather Information: http://www.weather.gov

NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards:  http://www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr/streamaudio.htm

National Hurricane Center (NHC): http://www.nhc.noaa.gov

Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency: Did you know that a flood, fire, national disaster, or the loss of power from high winds, snow or ice could jeopardize the safety of your food? Learn how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the potential loss of food and reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Link: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsis/topics/food-safety-education/get-answers/food- safety-fact-sheets/emergency-preparedness/keeping-food-safe-during-anemergency/ct_index

Fire Safety U.S. Fire Administration:  https://www.usfa.fema.gov/about/index.html

An entity of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the U.S. Fire Administration is to provide national leadership to foster a solid foundation for our fire and emergency services stakeholders in prevention, preparedness and response.

National Fire Protection Association: http://www.nfpa.org/overview

The National Fire Protection Association is a global nonprofit organization, established in 1896, devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards.

National Network of Libraries of Medicine

Sample Disaster Plans (more to come)

 

Disaster Preparedness for Individuals and Families

An emergency can occur quickly and without warning. The most important thing you can do to keep yourself and your family safe from an emergency is to prepare, stay calm, and follow instructions from emergency personnel.

Ready.gov: https://www.ready.gov/plan-form is a fillable form with planning for adults and kids linked here in PDF.

Disaster Preparedness for Organizations

From Florida State University

  • Information to be placed here soon

California’s Recovering Together: How libraries strengthen their communities before, during, and after a disaster: https://libraryrecovery.org

 

Documents and Websites

Videos

Webinars

From the New Jersey State Library: Ports in a Storm Resources

American Red Cross:  Emergency Tip Sheets

CDC Resources

Emergency Preparedness

○          Floods

■           Preparing for a Flood

■           Floodwater Safety

■           Reentering your Flooded Home

○          Hurricanes

■           Preparing for a Hurricane

■           Stay Safe After a Hurricane

■           Information for Professionals and Response Workers

○          Landslides and Mudslides

○          Lightning

■           Lightning Safety Tips

■           First Aid Recommendations

■           Lightning Strike Victim Data

■           Information for Workers

■           Information for Outdoor Recreation

■           Information for Organized Sporting Events

■           Information for Water Activities

■           Information for Pet Owners

■           Frequently Asked Questions

○          Tornadoes

■           Preparing for a Tornado

■           Stay Safe During a Tornado

■           Stay Safe After a Tornado

○          Tsunamis

■           Health Effects

■           Food and Water Safety

■           Diseases and Health Concerns

■           Information for Clinicians

■           Response and Cleanup After a Tsunami

■           MMWRs

○          Volcanoes

■           Key Facts about Eruptions

■           Preparing for an Eruption

■           During an Eruption

■           After an Eruption

■           Related Links

○          Wildfires

■           Preparing for Wildfires

■           Stay Safe During a Wildfire

■           Stay Safe After a Wildfire

■           Worker Safety During Fire Cleanup

■           Related Links

○          Winter Weather

■           Preparing for a Winter Storm

■           Stay Safe During and After a Winter Storm

■           Prevent Hypothermia and Frostbite

○          Disaster Resources

■           Educational Materials by Topic

■           Educational Materials by Language

■           How to Help Loved Ones in Hurricane-Affected Areas

■           PSAs for Disasters

■           Resources for Emergency Health Professionals

■           Social Media

■           Social Media Graphics

○          Health and Safety Concerns for All Disasters

■           Animals and Insects

■           Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

■           Clean Up

■           Food and Water

■           Prevent Illness and Injury After a Disaster

■           Power Outages

○          Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event

■           Taking Care of Your Emotional Health

■           Helping Children Cope

■           Response Resources for Leaders

■           Resources for State and Local Governments

■           Emergency Responders: Tips for taking care of yourself

○          Prepare Your Health

■           Take Action

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

■           Plan Ahead

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

■           Create Community

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

○          Quick Tips

○          Resources

 

Coping With Disasters, Violence, and Traumatic Events

The Healing Library is a series of kits designed to make a family’s journey of healing following a trauma easier to navigate and personalize. Designed with the intention of being lent out by libraries the materials for these scalable kits are available for free to download and assemble yourself. The most recent topic is Severe Weather & Climate Engagement; other topics include Mindfulness, COVID-19, Death of a Pet, Separation & Divorce, Death of a Loved One, and Alzheimer’s and Your Family. Libraries have adapted The Healing Library kits specifically for the disasters in their areas. Contact: thehealinglibraryus@gmail.com

Emotional Recovery After a Disaster

When we experience a disaster or other stressful life event, we can have a variety of reactions, all of which can be common responses to difficult situations. The distress may lead to short term every day challenges and longer term illness or mental illness. This link provides information from the Red Cross including recovery, challenges, and “Taking Care of Your Emotional Health” guides available in multiple languages and large print.

Nature’s Disasters provides a booklist for youth and families. (UPLOAD PDF)

Post-Trauma Bibliotherapy for Families (UPLOAD PDF)

Mental Health First Aid is a course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Training is adaptable such as this presentation “Caring for the mental well-being of your staff and community in the wake of a disaster.” (UPLOAD PDF)

http://www.childrenspsychologicalhealthcenter.org/resources/disaster-resources-for-children-teens/

The links below provide information, resources, and knowledge regarding disasters and the mental impacts that follows.

For Children and Parents