Indiana University South Bend

Preparing for Recovery

Determine the quantity of materials to be salvaged based on the damage assessment and established collection salvage priorities; decide which materials need to be freeze dried and which can be air dried; decide if Technical Services/Archives can manage the disaster or if outside assistance is necessary.

The Dean of Library Services will chooses the base site of operations and the Business Manager will set up the site. The command post should have easy access to computers, telephones, faxes and copiers; other supplies and forms needed are purchase orders, worker identification tags, floor plans, and a copy of the emergency/disaster response manual. The Disaster Response Team will meet at the command post, where the Dean of Library Services will brief them and give directions for the salvage operation.

Business Manager/Archivist
Contact the pre-determined salvage facility or outside contractor for freeze drying or air drying as appropriate.

Following the removal of damaged materials, the Dean of Library Services will arrange for cleanup and repair of the damaged site by a campus or commercial cleaning crew, as well as for temporary storage of materials, as necessary.The crew will clean the area and restore the shelves.

Organize Staff and Volunteers

Dean of Library Services requests staff and volunteers, Business Manager authorizes the Dean's request and Head of Circulation organizes the staff and volunteers for work.

Call for work teams; assemble them with trained team leaders and prepare them to begin wrapping and packing damaged materials; all able staff, including student employees, may be asked to participate in salvage teams; the Director may also request help from volunteers; volunteers will sign a waiver of responsibility (copy in appendix) before beginning work; all must be given periodic breaks

Head of Circulation and Business Manager
Arrange for the delivery of materials and equipment as needed to the disaster site (including milk boxes, cardboard boxes, garbage bags, wrapping paper, book trucks, dollies, flat trucks, labels and pens) from on-site or off-site sources; arrange for transportation of boxed damaged items from the disaster site to the recovery area; assemble any additional supplies or equipment, such as tables, chairs, lights, fans, as needed, especially for on-site salvage in a pre-determined, large, clean area with delivery access.