NLA and the library community
Joint disaster training in the ACT
Being prepared for disasters that may affect collections is an important part of counter-emergency planning in cultural institutions. Being prepared means that equipment, materials and services are available to deal with likely emergencies, and that staff are trained and ready to take an appropriate role in disaster response and recovery. Getting it right will save time, decrease the loss of materials, increase the recovery rate and normalise services to the public as soon as possible.
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Left: Drying techniques are applied to casualties from the Asian stacks at the NLA All cultural institutions in the ACT are involved in disaster planning for their collections, and it makes sense to work cooperatively in achieving disaster planning needs. On that basis, 20 participants from ten cultural institutions recently attended a two-day disaster training workshop organised by Lydia Preiss, from the Library. The workshop participants included collection managers, registrars, building facilities managers, conservators and a security manager The workshop was presented by Jeavons Baillie & Associates, consultants on preservation of cultural material. It featured a simulated library/archive collection disaster and provided an opportunity for participants to: |
Several staff from the National Library of Australia attended. The security manager provided the following comments.
I found the training course to be quite a challenge, the way it provided a simulated real-time emergency for course participants to deal with. Having the group initially thrown together and confronted with a simulated water disaster in the morning exemplified the sort of confusion and chaos that may occur in a real situation. This first exercise certainly provoked much useful discussion between participants, which led to a far more structured and coordinated approach when confronted with a similar exercise on the second day. I must state that in my opinion this practical, hands-on training in a simulated environment was of immense benefit and I would like to see the course continue, at least yearly, so we can build up a good base level of staff with this sort of training experience.
Group discussion provided excellent insights into previous disasters experienced at other cultural agencies. Also, strategies and plans to combat potential disasters were discussed and shared between the various agencies. It was an excellent opportunity to network with those officers that share the same duties and responsibilities in other cultural agencies.
A feedback session is on the books to determine future disaster training needs and to agree on and plan other cooperative disaster planning activities.
Please address any comments and enquiries to The Editor, Gateways: lkirwan@nla.gov.au