Emergency Preparedness: Earthquake Response and Recovery

Introduction

Insurance/Risk Management

Earthquake Recovery

Earthquakes can damage collections in many ways.Books may be tossed from shelving and papers from file cabinets. Collections may be scattered, crushed or soiled. Roofs, rooms and buildings may collapse, burying collections under furniture, beams, dirt and yard debris, or leaving collections exposed and vulnerable to wind, rain and snow.Structural collapse may cause fire damage to collections due to broken gas and power lines, as well as water damage from fire hoses and sprinklers, or broken water or sewer pipes. Collections may be recovered from fire and water damage if appropriate measures are taken. Dry collections may be salvaged and cleaned of soil, wet collections may be frozen to prevent mold growth, and broken book bindings, photographs and papers can be boxed or treated by professional conservators. In general, resources for salvage and recovery after floods apply.

For more information, see the following links:

The Library's Preservation Directorate's Emergency Preparedness webpage links to many helpful publications and organizations. The Family Treasures page on Preserving Treasures After Disaster includes information on drying wet materials and video clips on handling damaged objects. Other video clips can be found at the Heritage Preservation Foundation.
The Library's collaboration with IFLA PAC contains a call list for expert guidance. Other experts can be found through the "Selecting a Conservator" page of the American Institute of Conservation.
The Library's collaboration on A Primer on Disaster Preparedness, Management and Response: Paper-Based Materials with the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives, and National Park Service contains information on preparation in the event of a fire.
Additional recommended links for earthquake-related emergencies:

Emergency Preparedness: Earthquakes

Museum SOS: Preparedness and Mitigation, Structural Mitigation

Recommendations are compiled here to provide a convenient, efficient access to key concepts for reducing risks and responding to or recovering from flood-related emergencies. These suggestions are general, and based on good practice in libraries, archives, museums, and other collections-holding institutions. They may be superseded by requirements of a specific institution or emergency, or by the instructions of civil defense or other emergency responders.

Find additional general sources of assistance at:

American Red Cross
US Geological Survey
National Safety Council

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