ILS 650 Preservation of Library Materials Fall 2011
Dr Jospehine Sche
Exercise 1: Case Study of Library Disaster and Recovery
Kimberley Weber
September 26th 2011
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake and its Impact on the Delmar T. Oviatt Library at California State University, Northridge Campus
On January 17th 1994 at 4:30 in the morning, the San Fernando Valley in Central California, just northwest of Los Angeles, experienced a massive earthquake which registered 6.7 on the Richter scale. The densely populated area coupled with strong ground shaking made this the costliest earthquake in United States history. $20 to $40 billion dollars was spent on repairs to homes, businesses and general infrastructure. 57 people died because of the quake and more than 9,000 were seriously injured; these numbers could have been much higher if the quake had occurred during daylight hours. More than 20,000 people were displaced from their homes and over a million people were directly impacted. Many toxic chemicals were released into the atmosphere and drinking water was polluted. Because the quake moved up and down, as well as side to side, it caused an enormous amount of damage to structures. Newer buildings had been designed to withstand up and down motion OR side to side movement, but not these two types of movement at the same time. Parking structures and apartment complexes designed to be “earthquake proof” pancaked and then collapsed trapping victims inside. Other homes and businesses caught on fire as did many vehicles. News helicopters doing flyovers recorded scenes of what looked like a warzone. Fires burned out of control and survivors walked around in numb disbelief. The quake and its aftershocks were felt as far away as northern Oregon and lasted for days rattling the already frayed nerves of all Californians.
The 1994 jolt, later dubbed the Northridge Quake, is the most damaging earthquake to strike the United States since the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 (United States Geological Services, 1995). The epicenter of the quake was determined to have originated at the intersection of Wilbur Avenue and Arminta Street, in Northridge, less than three miles away from the Northridge campus of California State University (CSU/Northridge), home to 26,000 students. If the quake had struck at a different time of day or even on a different day the casualties would probably have been much worse. Because the quake struck on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday school was not in session and many workers had the day off. Many people in the area who normally commuted into the San Fernando Valley towns were still asleep. All of the buildings on the Northridge campus including a large parking structure and the Delmar T. Oviatt Library suffered severe damage. Dangerous chemicals located in underground science labs began leaking and some erupted into flames making for a dangerous and confusing environment for both rescue workers and staff that had quickly arrived on the scene hoping to help.
This case study will focus on the disaster and damage as it specifically relates to the Delmar T. Oviatt Library at CSU, Northridge, its collection and staff, as well as how the disaster was managed and techniques and methods used for the disaster recovery. Safety, health, economic, and staff issues will also be addressed as well as plans for future disasters.
The core of Oviatt Library was built in the early 70s prior to code requiring “earthquake resistant” design. Then in 1991 two steel frame wings were added, doubling the square footage, providing an additional 90,000 square feet to the building. Interestingly enough, while the older section sustained damage it was repairable where as the newer steel frame wings, designed to be more earthquake proof were so unstable after the seismic incident they eventually had to be razed. Seismologists believe that the earthquake damage was actually caused by pounding between these dissimilar structures; that is, the wings against the original library core. The most severe structural damage involved a cracked 4-inch steel plate which supported a 4-story high girder that was attached to the foundation. There was also exterior damage to the north side of Oviatt including a partial collapse of a roof and cracked columns. (CSU/Northridge website: http://library.csun.edu/About/Quake) In addition to the structural damage of the building nearly 600,000 volumes (90% of the collection) fell on the floor, shelving units were damaged as were special microfiche cabinetry specifically designed to be earthquake resistant. After the quake some 15,000-20,000 books had to be rebound, but only a small amount were damaged beyond repair. This is an important distinction because it’s the collection that needs protection; it’s like being relieved because although the car is totaled, the passengers are safe after a traffic accident. However because the building was found to be unstable, rain damage which came from leaky roofs and the inevitable mold that followed became a concern in later weeks and months. So although the initial disaster did not damage the collection the inability to move the contents of the library to a safe and climate controlled environment led to some unfortunate and perhaps avoidable loss.
The earthquake was a particularly difficult disaster because the aftershocks were of a significant magnitude that caused additional damage. In addition to structural damage there was leaking of hazardous materials which caused fires and downed wires which made communication difficult or impossible. Roadways near the campus were destroyed which made travel difficult. It’s also important to remember that this all happened before cell phones were in common use. The President of the University wanted school to start as close to ‘on time’ as possible so classrooms were set up in tents. The nearby UCLA Library opened its doors to CSU students and Oviatt Library staff reported to work there to help with the extraordinary volume of students. In hindsight the President’s push to open school quickly was probably a mistake. Many staff members were facing difficult situations at home yet were required to report to work undoubtedly to give a sense of normalcy to students. Documents librarian, Mary Finley gave a speech at the 8th Annual Federation Depository Library Conference April 12-15, 1999 titled Disaster Planning for Libraries: Lessons from California State University. In her speech she talks about the ill health effects and added stress the speedy opening caused staff. In some ways the environmental hazards unleashed by the tremor were easier to deal with. The emotional and psychological scars can often last much longer.
Procedures and management for handling the quake were really quite impressive, although in the end not entirely successful. A lot of thought went into building design and a fair amount of earthquake preparedness training occurred. However in the end it just wasn’t enough. A significant earthquake took place in the San Fernando Valley in 1971 and it provided a wakeup call of sorts for everyone in the region, including the CSU/Northridge campus and Susan Curzon of the Oviatt Library. Area residents didn’t think to themselves “Be prepared IN CASE an earthquake happens. Instead they were planning for WHEN an earthquake happened…”
When the university built the Oviatt Library addition in 1991 they spent a lot of extra money bringing the new structures up to the recommended code; they used a steel reinforced frame, as opposed to poured concrete. The project engineers promised this would be more stable in the event of a tremor. So it was a great surprise to everyone when three years into the rebuilding project the floors of the earthquake resistant addition started to slope dangerously, an indication that the structure was unsound. “While the experience can be summed up as ‘the engineers were wrong,’ nonetheless the attempt to have an earthquake resistant library building was an appropriate action for the library to have undertaken in advance.” (Finley, 1999)
In addition to contracting with structural engineers and reinforcing the building Oviatt Library chose to carefully bolt down almost all of the library shelving when they planned their new addition. The reinforced shelving was more costly to install but it was not only a better storage decision for the collection but also thought to be safer for staff and patrons who were in the building during an earthquake. While nearly 90% of the books fell on the floor during the earthquake the shelves did not fall. Having a safe and secure place to shelve the volumes was a good plan and if the roof hadn’t leaked it would have been a big time and money saver. Unfortunately leaky roofs and unsound building support left some of the collection exposed to damaging rain. The shelving units did their job, but the roof above them did not.
Oviatt Library reinforced their building and also chose wisely when it came to shelving units. They did the same thing when it came to choosing cabinetry for their microfiche and large pieces of furniture. All was chosen with the protection of the collection and safety of people. And yet things did not go as well as the library managers hoped. Earthquake preparedness comes not only in building design but also in choosing furniture with safety in mind. When making purchases, especially for large pieces of furniture and shelving units include safe installation as part of the work order. This additional cost will save both lives and materials. Have large items bolted securely and keep aisles clear. Oviatt Library had 140 microfiche cabinets malfunction during the quake. Prior to the earthquake these heavy bone crushing cabinets were spaced a safe distance from one another, wide enough apart for a wheelchair to pass through. However the quake caused significant shifting and afterwards the space between cabinets was so narrow that anyone working in the microfiche area during the disaster would have been trapped between cabinets.
In an interview Susan Curzon, Dean of the Oviatt Library, gives some great suggestions on how a library can and should prepare for a disaster. Susan stresses the importance of planning for the safety of people first and foremost. “As librarians it’s easy to get consumed with preserving materials but it’s important to remember that stuff is just stuff-and I say that with the full understanding that libraries collect and protect stuff and act like stuff is important. But stuff is still just stuff. Plan first for the safety of people.” (Curzon, 2008)
That said Mrs. Curzon did go on to make some very specific recommendations for how to prepare for disaster whether fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, or hurricane. Essential actions to take when preparing a disaster readiness plan include first and foremost having your building inspected by a structural engineer. Make certain that you are up to code, or better yet that you have exceeded current safety code requirements. Although undoubtedly following code will add expense to your project it is the legal and ethical course of action. Speaking generally, and not specifically about CSUN, Tom Tobin, executive director of the Seismic Safety Commission, describes the problem this way: "We have a culture of building buildings that does not place much emphasis on earthquakes. It's emphasizing the lowest fee rather than design competence. It's building owners assuming that complying with building codes is enough when the code is designed to provide for life safety, not to prevent damage to the building. It continues when the work of checking on the plans is not properly funded, when inspections are not properly funded. It continues with the selection of contractors by the lowest bid, and with construction schedules that are too tight. It all adds up to buildings that are very vulnerable to earthquake damage." (L.A. Times April 30, 1994)
Curzon also suggests that if your library is older and you have asbestos, lead paint, or antiquated wiring now is the time to fix it. Dealing with these additional safety issues at the time of a disaster will vastly increase repair costs and exposure and/or possible contamination could cause you to lose a sizeable percentage or worse, all of your collection. It's also true that the financial bottom line, in terms of construction, becomes less important once that structure has been humbled by a temblor. That's something to consider in preparing for the next one. (Curzon, 2008)
Another suggestion made by several earthquake preparedness websites is to read books on how to make your workplace safer. If you live in an earthquake prone zone there are probably resources tailored specifically to your region. In southern California a book that comes highly recommended is Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country which was first published in 1995 by the Southern California Earthquake Center and the Earthquake County Alliance. The book is short; just 32 pages yet full of practical information on earthquake science and preparedness. Library directors and managers would be wise to make this suggested reading for all of your staff or at the very least your department heads. And don’t just read the book, take notes and follow the recommendations laid out in the book. Other good resources come from FEMA and Red Cross websites.
It is also a good idea at least once a year have a staff meeting to specifically go over evacuation procedures. Talk about how staff will help the public move out of the building with special provisions considered for the elderly, handicapped, or those with ambulatory issues. Each staff member should be prepared for an emergency and know where they can access emergency supplies. Some basic supplies to consider are flashlights, work gloves, dust masks, a clean water supply, and possibly hard hats and sturdy shoes. Have a charged cell phone available at all times so you are able to call emergency personnel. Be prepared to share important information with first responders. A map of the building and knowing where injured people are located and/or where hazardous situations such as dangerous leaks or treacherous damage can be found.
Key documentation that will help you with rescue and recovery efforts should be stored in several key locations, both on and off site. Susan Curzon suggests that key documentation may include a disaster plan that is familiar to everyone on your staff, salvage priorities, a “disaster book” that is a shelf list of your library’s entire collection, accurate floor plans, list of key equipment and essential vendor addresses, a list of professional movers and freeze-drying firms, phone numbers of other local libraries, a current staff list with their emergency contact information, and library statistics for insurers or other agencies such as FEMA. If your library has rare furniture or art you should have photographs and a recent appraisal of these irreplaceable items. As libraries become more and more technologically advanced it’s important to have your electronic files backed up and stored offsite in a cloud or other remote location.
While Mrs. Curzon had an emergency plan in place the Northridge Earthquake of 1994 still caught her off guard. Despite her best efforts things did not go nearly as well as she had hoped. “We had done some planning in advance but we did not have a comprehensive disaster plan. We had not planned for the possibility of losing the library building and the entire collection. We should have. Please understand that a disaster can happen to your library and that the time it chooses to happen could be in the next minute. An earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, fire or explosion will not ask for your permission in advance. But you can choose to be well prepared. Think about what would make your library a safer place to be during a disaster. Think about what you can do to make it easier for your library to recover from a disaster. Many of the things you need to do in disaster planning are small steps, easily done by library employees if they are willing to change procedures to enhance safety and to promote service continually. I hope you will take steps, however small they may be, to improve disaster preparedness at you library.” (Curzon, 2008)
As someone who survived a difficult ordeal, Mrs. Curzon’s words carry a lot of weight. Yet what I hear most in her words is that it really is almost impossible to plan for a natural disaster. Oviatt Library spent time and money on a building they thought would keep their people and their collection safe, but it cracked and fell. They bought special shelving and cabinetry to keep their collection secure but this too failed to a certain extent. They spent time training staff and developing a plan. This also did not work as expected and yet perhaps this was the part of the plan that worked best. Mrs. Curzon’s advice that resonates the most for me is about the importance of keeping people safe. Unfortunately water, fire, and toxic chemicals are a tough match for archival materials made of paper. In most of these cases there is little we can do. In this new technological age information can be stored safely in a cloud out of harm’s way. However this does not work as well for the fragile irreplaceable documents of yesteryear. For these priceless irreplaceable documents we must do our best to keep them away from natural disasters. We must spend money on good building and furniture design, organize our collections with an eye towards conservation, and train staff on safety procedures. But in the end whether your collection stays safe from natural disaster requires a little bit of luck.
Works Cited –
Bender, Sylvia. “Earthquake Damage to Libraries.” In the Northridge Earthquake of 17 January 1994. Special Publication 116, edited by Mary C. Woods and W. Ray Swiple, 219-220. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, 1995.
“CSUN Seismic Failure Shows Wider Problems: Oviatt Library Exemplifies How Quake Standards are Lacking.” L.A. Times April 30, 1995.
Curzon, Susan Carol. “When Disaster Strikes: The Fall and Rise of a Library. (earthquake aftermath at Oviatt Library) American Libraries April 1, 2000, Vol. 31 Issue 4.
Earthquake County Info. URL:http//www.earthquakecounty.info/video/inex.html. Retrieved September 13,2011.
Finley, Mary M. Disaster Planning for Libraries: Lessons from California State University, Northridge. Proceedings of the 8th Annual Federation Depository Library Conference April 12-15, 1999 California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA.
Finley, Mary K. “Oviatt Library Earthquake Damage” CSU Northridge website. Last updated July 21, 2010.
Gaughan, Tom. “Stepping Lightly in L.A.” American Libraries March 1994 Volume 25 No. 3.
J.K. “Mold Water Damage Found at CSU/Northridge” American Libraries April 1999, 30 Issue 4 pp.20-25.
Seismic Safety Commission State of California “Northridge Earthquake: Turning Loss to Gain” Seismic Safety Commission Report, No. 95-01, Sacramento, CA.
Southern California Earthquake Data Center. URL: http://www.datascedc.org/earthquake
United States Geological Services. “Response to an Urban Earthquake – Northridge 1994.” U.S. Department of the Interior. United States Geological Survey
(URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1996/oftr-96-0263/.htm)
Dr Jospehine Sche
Exercise 1: Case Study of Library Disaster and Recovery
Kimberley Weber
September 26th 2011
The 1994 Northridge Earthquake and its Impact on the Delmar T. Oviatt Library at California State University, Northridge Campus
On January 17th 1994 at 4:30 in the morning, the San Fernando Valley in Central California, just northwest of Los Angeles, experienced a massive earthquake which registered 6.7 on the Richter scale. The densely populated area coupled with strong ground shaking made this the costliest earthquake in United States history. $20 to $40 billion dollars was spent on repairs to homes, businesses and general infrastructure. 57 people died because of the quake and more than 9,000 were seriously injured; these numbers could have been much higher if the quake had occurred during daylight hours. More than 20,000 people were displaced from their homes and over a million people were directly impacted. Many toxic chemicals were released into the atmosphere and drinking water was polluted. Because the quake moved up and down, as well as side to side, it caused an enormous amount of damage to structures. Newer buildings had been designed to withstand up and down motion OR side to side movement, but not these two types of movement at the same time. Parking structures and apartment complexes designed to be “earthquake proof” pancaked and then collapsed trapping victims inside. Other homes and businesses caught on fire as did many vehicles. News helicopters doing flyovers recorded scenes of what looked like a warzone. Fires burned out of control and survivors walked around in numb disbelief. The quake and its aftershocks were felt as far away as northern Oregon and lasted for days rattling the already frayed nerves of all Californians.
The 1994 jolt, later dubbed the Northridge Quake, is the most damaging earthquake to strike the United States since the San Francisco earthquake of 1906 (United States Geological Services, 1995). The epicenter of the quake was determined to have originated at the intersection of Wilbur Avenue and Arminta Street, in Northridge, less than three miles away from the Northridge campus of California State University (CSU/Northridge), home to 26,000 students. If the quake had struck at a different time of day or even on a different day the casualties would probably have been much worse. Because the quake struck on the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday school was not in session and many workers had the day off. Many people in the area who normally commuted into the San Fernando Valley towns were still asleep. All of the buildings on the Northridge campus including a large parking structure and the Delmar T. Oviatt Library suffered severe damage. Dangerous chemicals located in underground science labs began leaking and some erupted into flames making for a dangerous and confusing environment for both rescue workers and staff that had quickly arrived on the scene hoping to help.
This case study will focus on the disaster and damage as it specifically relates to the Delmar T. Oviatt Library at CSU, Northridge, its collection and staff, as well as how the disaster was managed and techniques and methods used for the disaster recovery. Safety, health, economic, and staff issues will also be addressed as well as plans for future disasters.
The core of Oviatt Library was built in the early 70s prior to code requiring “earthquake resistant” design. Then in 1991 two steel frame wings were added, doubling the square footage, providing an additional 90,000 square feet to the building. Interestingly enough, while the older section sustained damage it was repairable where as the newer steel frame wings, designed to be more earthquake proof were so unstable after the seismic incident they eventually had to be razed. Seismologists believe that the earthquake damage was actually caused by pounding between these dissimilar structures; that is, the wings against the original library core. The most severe structural damage involved a cracked 4-inch steel plate which supported a 4-story high girder that was attached to the foundation. There was also exterior damage to the north side of Oviatt including a partial collapse of a roof and cracked columns. (CSU/Northridge website: http://library.csun.edu/About/Quake) In addition to the structural damage of the building nearly 600,000 volumes (90% of the collection) fell on the floor, shelving units were damaged as were special microfiche cabinetry specifically designed to be earthquake resistant. After the quake some 15,000-20,000 books had to be rebound, but only a small amount were damaged beyond repair. This is an important distinction because it’s the collection that needs protection; it’s like being relieved because although the car is totaled, the passengers are safe after a traffic accident. However because the building was found to be unstable, rain damage which came from leaky roofs and the inevitable mold that followed became a concern in later weeks and months. So although the initial disaster did not damage the collection the inability to move the contents of the library to a safe and climate controlled environment led to some unfortunate and perhaps avoidable loss.
The earthquake was a particularly difficult disaster because the aftershocks were of a significant magnitude that caused additional damage. In addition to structural damage there was leaking of hazardous materials which caused fires and downed wires which made communication difficult or impossible. Roadways near the campus were destroyed which made travel difficult. It’s also important to remember that this all happened before cell phones were in common use. The President of the University wanted school to start as close to ‘on time’ as possible so classrooms were set up in tents. The nearby UCLA Library opened its doors to CSU students and Oviatt Library staff reported to work there to help with the extraordinary volume of students. In hindsight the President’s push to open school quickly was probably a mistake. Many staff members were facing difficult situations at home yet were required to report to work undoubtedly to give a sense of normalcy to students. Documents librarian, Mary Finley gave a speech at the 8th Annual Federation Depository Library Conference April 12-15, 1999 titled Disaster Planning for Libraries: Lessons from California State University. In her speech she talks about the ill health effects and added stress the speedy opening caused staff. In some ways the environmental hazards unleashed by the tremor were easier to deal with. The emotional and psychological scars can often last much longer.
Procedures and management for handling the quake were really quite impressive, although in the end not entirely successful. A lot of thought went into building design and a fair amount of earthquake preparedness training occurred. However in the end it just wasn’t enough. A significant earthquake took place in the San Fernando Valley in 1971 and it provided a wakeup call of sorts for everyone in the region, including the CSU/Northridge campus and Susan Curzon of the Oviatt Library. Area residents didn’t think to themselves “Be prepared IN CASE an earthquake happens. Instead they were planning for WHEN an earthquake happened…”
When the university built the Oviatt Library addition in 1991 they spent a lot of extra money bringing the new structures up to the recommended code; they used a steel reinforced frame, as opposed to poured concrete. The project engineers promised this would be more stable in the event of a tremor. So it was a great surprise to everyone when three years into the rebuilding project the floors of the earthquake resistant addition started to slope dangerously, an indication that the structure was unsound. “While the experience can be summed up as ‘the engineers were wrong,’ nonetheless the attempt to have an earthquake resistant library building was an appropriate action for the library to have undertaken in advance.” (Finley, 1999)
In addition to contracting with structural engineers and reinforcing the building Oviatt Library chose to carefully bolt down almost all of the library shelving when they planned their new addition. The reinforced shelving was more costly to install but it was not only a better storage decision for the collection but also thought to be safer for staff and patrons who were in the building during an earthquake. While nearly 90% of the books fell on the floor during the earthquake the shelves did not fall. Having a safe and secure place to shelve the volumes was a good plan and if the roof hadn’t leaked it would have been a big time and money saver. Unfortunately leaky roofs and unsound building support left some of the collection exposed to damaging rain. The shelving units did their job, but the roof above them did not.
Oviatt Library reinforced their building and also chose wisely when it came to shelving units. They did the same thing when it came to choosing cabinetry for their microfiche and large pieces of furniture. All was chosen with the protection of the collection and safety of people. And yet things did not go as well as the library managers hoped. Earthquake preparedness comes not only in building design but also in choosing furniture with safety in mind. When making purchases, especially for large pieces of furniture and shelving units include safe installation as part of the work order. This additional cost will save both lives and materials. Have large items bolted securely and keep aisles clear. Oviatt Library had 140 microfiche cabinets malfunction during the quake. Prior to the earthquake these heavy bone crushing cabinets were spaced a safe distance from one another, wide enough apart for a wheelchair to pass through. However the quake caused significant shifting and afterwards the space between cabinets was so narrow that anyone working in the microfiche area during the disaster would have been trapped between cabinets.
In an interview Susan Curzon, Dean of the Oviatt Library, gives some great suggestions on how a library can and should prepare for a disaster. Susan stresses the importance of planning for the safety of people first and foremost. “As librarians it’s easy to get consumed with preserving materials but it’s important to remember that stuff is just stuff-and I say that with the full understanding that libraries collect and protect stuff and act like stuff is important. But stuff is still just stuff. Plan first for the safety of people.” (Curzon, 2008)
That said Mrs. Curzon did go on to make some very specific recommendations for how to prepare for disaster whether fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, or hurricane. Essential actions to take when preparing a disaster readiness plan include first and foremost having your building inspected by a structural engineer. Make certain that you are up to code, or better yet that you have exceeded current safety code requirements. Although undoubtedly following code will add expense to your project it is the legal and ethical course of action. Speaking generally, and not specifically about CSUN, Tom Tobin, executive director of the Seismic Safety Commission, describes the problem this way: "We have a culture of building buildings that does not place much emphasis on earthquakes. It's emphasizing the lowest fee rather than design competence. It's building owners assuming that complying with building codes is enough when the code is designed to provide for life safety, not to prevent damage to the building. It continues when the work of checking on the plans is not properly funded, when inspections are not properly funded. It continues with the selection of contractors by the lowest bid, and with construction schedules that are too tight. It all adds up to buildings that are very vulnerable to earthquake damage." (L.A. Times April 30, 1994)
Curzon also suggests that if your library is older and you have asbestos, lead paint, or antiquated wiring now is the time to fix it. Dealing with these additional safety issues at the time of a disaster will vastly increase repair costs and exposure and/or possible contamination could cause you to lose a sizeable percentage or worse, all of your collection. It's also true that the financial bottom line, in terms of construction, becomes less important once that structure has been humbled by a temblor. That's something to consider in preparing for the next one. (Curzon, 2008)
Another suggestion made by several earthquake preparedness websites is to read books on how to make your workplace safer. If you live in an earthquake prone zone there are probably resources tailored specifically to your region. In southern California a book that comes highly recommended is Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country which was first published in 1995 by the Southern California Earthquake Center and the Earthquake County Alliance. The book is short; just 32 pages yet full of practical information on earthquake science and preparedness. Library directors and managers would be wise to make this suggested reading for all of your staff or at the very least your department heads. And don’t just read the book, take notes and follow the recommendations laid out in the book. Other good resources come from FEMA and Red Cross websites.
It is also a good idea at least once a year have a staff meeting to specifically go over evacuation procedures. Talk about how staff will help the public move out of the building with special provisions considered for the elderly, handicapped, or those with ambulatory issues. Each staff member should be prepared for an emergency and know where they can access emergency supplies. Some basic supplies to consider are flashlights, work gloves, dust masks, a clean water supply, and possibly hard hats and sturdy shoes. Have a charged cell phone available at all times so you are able to call emergency personnel. Be prepared to share important information with first responders. A map of the building and knowing where injured people are located and/or where hazardous situations such as dangerous leaks or treacherous damage can be found.
Key documentation that will help you with rescue and recovery efforts should be stored in several key locations, both on and off site. Susan Curzon suggests that key documentation may include a disaster plan that is familiar to everyone on your staff, salvage priorities, a “disaster book” that is a shelf list of your library’s entire collection, accurate floor plans, list of key equipment and essential vendor addresses, a list of professional movers and freeze-drying firms, phone numbers of other local libraries, a current staff list with their emergency contact information, and library statistics for insurers or other agencies such as FEMA. If your library has rare furniture or art you should have photographs and a recent appraisal of these irreplaceable items. As libraries become more and more technologically advanced it’s important to have your electronic files backed up and stored offsite in a cloud or other remote location.
While Mrs. Curzon had an emergency plan in place the Northridge Earthquake of 1994 still caught her off guard. Despite her best efforts things did not go nearly as well as she had hoped. “We had done some planning in advance but we did not have a comprehensive disaster plan. We had not planned for the possibility of losing the library building and the entire collection. We should have. Please understand that a disaster can happen to your library and that the time it chooses to happen could be in the next minute. An earthquake, hurricane, tornado, flood, fire or explosion will not ask for your permission in advance. But you can choose to be well prepared. Think about what would make your library a safer place to be during a disaster. Think about what you can do to make it easier for your library to recover from a disaster. Many of the things you need to do in disaster planning are small steps, easily done by library employees if they are willing to change procedures to enhance safety and to promote service continually. I hope you will take steps, however small they may be, to improve disaster preparedness at you library.” (Curzon, 2008)
As someone who survived a difficult ordeal, Mrs. Curzon’s words carry a lot of weight. Yet what I hear most in her words is that it really is almost impossible to plan for a natural disaster. Oviatt Library spent time and money on a building they thought would keep their people and their collection safe, but it cracked and fell. They bought special shelving and cabinetry to keep their collection secure but this too failed to a certain extent. They spent time training staff and developing a plan. This also did not work as expected and yet perhaps this was the part of the plan that worked best. Mrs. Curzon’s advice that resonates the most for me is about the importance of keeping people safe. Unfortunately water, fire, and toxic chemicals are a tough match for archival materials made of paper. In most of these cases there is little we can do. In this new technological age information can be stored safely in a cloud out of harm’s way. However this does not work as well for the fragile irreplaceable documents of yesteryear. For these priceless irreplaceable documents we must do our best to keep them away from natural disasters. We must spend money on good building and furniture design, organize our collections with an eye towards conservation, and train staff on safety procedures. But in the end whether your collection stays safe from natural disaster requires a little bit of luck.
Works Cited –
Bender, Sylvia. “Earthquake Damage to Libraries.” In the Northridge Earthquake of 17 January 1994. Special Publication 116, edited by Mary C. Woods and W. Ray Swiple, 219-220. Sacramento, CA: California Department of Conservation, Division of Mines and Geology, 1995.
“CSUN Seismic Failure Shows Wider Problems: Oviatt Library Exemplifies How Quake Standards are Lacking.” L.A. Times April 30, 1995.
Curzon, Susan Carol. “When Disaster Strikes: The Fall and Rise of a Library. (earthquake aftermath at Oviatt Library) American Libraries April 1, 2000, Vol. 31 Issue 4.
Earthquake County Info. URL:http//www.earthquakecounty.info/video/inex.html. Retrieved September 13,2011.
Finley, Mary M. Disaster Planning for Libraries: Lessons from California State University, Northridge. Proceedings of the 8th Annual Federation Depository Library Conference April 12-15, 1999 California State University, Northridge, Northridge, CA.
Finley, Mary K. “Oviatt Library Earthquake Damage” CSU Northridge website. Last updated July 21, 2010.
Gaughan, Tom. “Stepping Lightly in L.A.” American Libraries March 1994 Volume 25 No. 3.
J.K. “Mold Water Damage Found at CSU/Northridge” American Libraries April 1999, 30 Issue 4 pp.20-25.
Seismic Safety Commission State of California “Northridge Earthquake: Turning Loss to Gain” Seismic Safety Commission Report, No. 95-01, Sacramento, CA.
Southern California Earthquake Data Center. URL: http://www.datascedc.org/earthquake
United States Geological Services. “Response to an Urban Earthquake – Northridge 1994.” U.S. Department of the Interior. United States Geological Survey
(URL: http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1996/oftr-96-0263/.htm)