Resources for Texas Libraries, Archives, Etc., Located in Possible Hurricane Path

With weather forecasters predicting the direction of Hurricane Ike to turn toward the Texas gulf coast, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) has sent out a list of recommended programs and resources that are available for librarians, archivists, curators, records managers and other custodians of historical records when their units are faced with pre-planning or responding in a natural disaster situation.

TSLAC STATE & LOCAL RECORDS MANAGEMENT

TSLAC offers to state agencies and local governments Records Management assistance such as active and continuing records management solutions, protection of governmental records options and preparation before an emergency situations arise. For resources visit http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/slrm/ or call the TSLAC State & Local Records Management division (512-421-7200).

HERITAGE EMERGENCY NATIONAL TASK FORCE

The Heritage Emergency National Task Force, co-sponsored by Heritage Preservation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has set up http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TFcurrent.html for taking reports on damage to cultural resources and requests for assistance from affected organizations. Used for the first time during the floods this summer in the Midwest, this site also has information on coping with water damage, saving your treasures and navigating FEMA and Small Business Administration disaster assistance. For more information contact 202-233-0800 or taskforce@heritagepreservation.org.

AIC COLLECTIONS EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM

The Collections Emergency Response Team (AIC-CERT) is a product of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works. It offers a rapid-response team of 60 individuals who are trained to assess damage and initiate salvage of cultural collections after a disaster has occurred. They are staffed 24 hours a day. Call 202-661-8068 for simple advice or to request the deployment of a CERT team to your area. To view their brochure, visit http://aic.stanford.edu/news/AIC-CERT.pdf.

AMIGOS LIBRARIES DISASTER PLANNING AND RECOVERY

The Amigos Library Services with a membership of 750 libraries and cultural heritage institutions, mostly in the southwestern United States, offers immediate guidance in the event of an emergency. They provide information, referrals to local resources, damage recovery and on-site assistance before, during and after an emergency or natural disaster. Contact Amigos Support Desk (800-843-8482 x2863 during business hours; 469-223-4900 after hours or amigos@amigos.org). In the Dallas area call 972-851-8000. For a disaster plan template for libraries and archives, visit http://www.amigos.org/files/disasterplan.pdf.

Source: TSLAC Communications Officer Derick Hackett (512-463-5514; dhackett@tsl.state.tx.us)