Scope: This document provides guidance for how LTS staff in Olin Library should respond in the event of an emergency that threatens library collections, furniture, and/or equipment. These emergencies are most commonly associated with problems such as water leaks, fire damage, and structural collapse of shelves. The following guidelines are intended as a first-step supplement to the OKU Disaster Response Plan, which focuses primarily on recovery and preservation of damaged material.
Note that these instructions are aimed primarily at LTS staff based in Olin Library. Those who work in Kroch Library (RMC) and the Music Library should follow procedures appropriate for their own buildings and collections.
Contact: Jim LeBlanc
Unit: Senior Management Team
Date created: November 2015
Date of next review: November 2016
In the event of an emergency that threatens library collections, take the following steps:
- Think about your own safety and that of your co-workers first. If there is a fire, earthquake, or other dangerous or life-threatening situation, stay calm and follow the emergency evacuation plan for your area of LTS.
- If possible and it is safe to do so, quickly identify the source and nature of the danger to the collections, furniture, and/or equipment and the extent of the damage.
- If possible and it is safe to do so, take immediate steps to protect the material – such as moving or covering the threatened items or areas with plastic sheeting, if there is a water leak. Otherwise, do not handle damaged material, unless instructed by Preservation staff.
- If the emergency occurs during normal business hours, notify your supervisor and/or department director. If the emergency occurs after hours or on a weekend, see step #7 below.
- Supervisors should, in turn, notify the:
- CUL Facilities Office (255-3455), and the
- Director of LTS (254-5290) and/or the AUL for Discovery, Assessment, and International Engagement (255-7026).
They, in turn, will notify others as instructed in the OKU Disaster Response Plan: the Director of Olin & Uris Libraries (255-5998), the Director of Preservation & Conservation Services (255-5291), and the AUL for Administrative Services (254-5257). - Provide assistance to Facilities and Preservation staff, if and as directed.
- Note: if the emergency occurs after normal business hours or on a weekend, notify:
- Olin Circulation (255-4245), if the building is officially open
- Cornell Customer Services (255-5322), if the building is closed