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Feb
28
Posted by Hannah Sinemus on February 28th, 2015
Posted in: The MAReport
Tags: 2015 Issue 1
MAR HighlightsRenae Barger, Executive Director
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region (NN/LM MAR) provides assistance to our members in preparing for and responding to disasters or localized emergencies. MAR staff are available to assist with emergency preparedness and response activities, from risk assessment, training, and developing a disaster plan.
On November 4th, MAR partnered with Dan Wilson, Coordinator of the NN/LM Emergency Preparedness Response (EP&R) Initiative; the Office of Commonwealth Libraries; and Altoona Public Library to offer a one-day symposium. The symposium, “Creating a Readiness Culture within Pennsylvania Libraries,” took place in State College, PA and was attended by 50 library staff, representing mostly public libraries, with additional representation from medical and academic libraries.
The primary goals of the symposium were to bring the library community together with the emergency planning community to provide a forum for discussing roles libraries and information professionals can play in supporting future disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts, as well as to create a disaster readiness culture within Pennsylvania libraries. <!–The Office of Commonwealth Libraries has posted the presentations on their YouTube channel:
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Planning Committee: Dan Wilson, Renae Barger, Diana Megdad, and Stacey AldrichThe program began with a welcome and introduction from the program sponsors: Stacey Aldrich, State Librarian, Office of Commonwealth Libraries and Renae Barger, Executive Director, NN/LM MAR. Dan Wilson, Coordinator of the NN/LM EP&R Initiative, provided an introduction to the initiative and an overview of his work across the country with the eight regional NN/LM offices. As Coordinator, he facilitates training sessions for libraries interested in creating a disaster-ready culture and partnering with emergency planners.
The morning session started with a timely presentation on Ebola by Chad Thomas, Public Health Communications Outreach Coordinator for the Philadelphia Department of Health. This set the stage for a conversation with emergency planners, including Chad Thomas; Steve Leauber, Disaster Program Planner for American Red Cross; and Shawn Kauffman, Centre Region Emergency Management Coordinator. All were asked to discuss their responsibilities and roles in disaster preparedness, response and recovery, as well as opportunities for libraries to become involved and to support their efforts. Dr. Jon Nese, Associate Head for
Presenters: Steve Leauber, Chad Thomas, Miriam Meislik, and Shawn KauffmanUndergraduate Programs in the Department of Meteorology at Penn State, was on-hand to offer libraries forecast challenges and impacts of Pennsylvania winter storms as potential emergencies. Finally, Miriam Meislik, Media Curator for the Archives Service Center at the University of Pittsburgh, spoke on protecting collections.
In the afternoon, Dan Wilson led an interactive workshop on creating a readiness culture within the library. Renae Barger also discussed the availability of MAR funding for libraries in attendance. Attendees were invited to apply for small awards up to $5,000, to pursue projects designed to introduce a readiness culture or foster preparedness partnerships within the community. As a result, over $20,000 has been awarded to the following seven libraries. We look forward to the success of these projects as they wrap-up over the next few months:
Disaster Plans & Preparedness for Libraries in NEPA
Scranton Public Library
Scranton, PA
Project Manager: Michele Legate
Period of Performance: February 1 – April 30, 2015
Amount of Funding: $1,785
The Northeast, Wilkes-Barre, and Pottsville Library District propose to hold a one day Disaster Preparedness Workshop in Northeast PA for 50+ libraries. Libraries are located in urban, suburban, and rural communities. The workshop will have two goals. Our first goal is to assist the libraries in creating a one-page service continuity plan to help them get their library services up and running again, as quickly as possible, after a disaster. Dan Wilson, Coordinator of the NN/LM Emergency Preparedness & Response Initiative, will facilitate a session where attendees can begin to draft a plan that best suits their library.
Our second goal is to increase the number of Northeast Pennsylvania libraries active in disaster response by giving them the tools to proactively become disaster relief centers for their communities through partnerships with their local emergency planners.
Response Training and Stations at Centre County Libraries
Centre County Library & Historical Museum
Bellefonte, PA
Project Manager: Lisa Erickson
Period of Performance: February 1 – April 30, 2015
Amount of Funding: $5,000
Centre County Library operates three public library branches, a bookmobile, and a local history/genealogy research center/museum. This project would allow all locations to become “response stations” for community emergencies. All staff would be trained on the core ideas presented in “12 Elements of a Library at a High State of Readiness” and be involved in creating an emergency preparedness plan. This plan would involve how to respond to emergencies not only within the library walls, but also how to help the public meet their informational needs during and immediately following a disaster.
Beginning Emergency Preparedness
Springdale Free Public Library
Springdale, PA
Project Manager: Janet Tyree
Period of Performance: February 1 – April 30, 2015
Amount of Funding: $2,050
The Springdale Free Public Library would begin a discussion with the coordinator of our School District’s emergency management personnel – our service area is our school district which includes Springdale Borough, Springdale Township, Harmar Township and Cheswick Borough. During that discussion, we would plan out just what is needed for us to be prepared in case of various emergencies that can affect our communities and what part the Library can play in this management. Staff will be trained in emergencies and CPR.
Emergency Preparedness for Allegheny County Libraries
Allegheny County Library Association
Pittsburgh, PA
Project Manager: Chrisoula Perdziola
Period of Performance: February 1 – April 30, 2015
Amount of Funding: $3,665
The objective of this first-of-its-kind project is to create a one-day training opportunity that will produce a standard of quality and reliability regarding the information that Allegheny County libraries and their staff have with regard to emergency preparedness for both libraries and for the residents they serve. Specifically it will seek to provide consistent, authoritative, and practical information on best practices and tools related to emergency preparedness to all 73 library locations in Allegheny County.
Healthful Help for the Homebound Community in Adams County
Adams County Library System
Gettysburg, PA
Project Manager: Valli Hoski and Laura Goss
Period of Performance: February 1 – April 30, 2015
Amount of Funding: $4,300
The objectives of this project are to:
Disasters and Emergencies: Are You Prepared?
Annie Halenbake Ross Library
Lock Haven, PA
Project Manager: William Reynolds and Diane Whitaker
Period of Performance: February 1 – April 30, 2015
Amount of Funding: $1,500
In working with the Clinton County Emergency Services team, Ross Library will educate Clinton County residents on disaster related information, such as enhancing emergency preparedness, and increasing awareness before, during, and after a disaster.
Public Library Emergency Preparedness
Westmoreland County Federated Library System
Greensburg, PA
Project Manager: Kathy Miller
Period of Performance: February 1 – April 30, 2015
Amount of Funding: $2,300
The focus of the project will be on the 19 state-aided libraries in Westmoreland County. The first step will be to educate the libraries about their role in helping the community during an emergency. The second step will be to enlighten the libraries on the importance of planning for a disaster that directly affects the library.
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