How you react in the first hours of a library disaster can
mean the difference between a legacy and a total loss.

™

First Aid For Library Disaster Preparedness

When manmade and natural disasters strike, they can wipe out library collections that have taken generations to build. Having REACTPAK™ in strategic locations throughout your facility can make all the difference in your ability to come to the immediate aid of water-damaged books, files, and other valuable library materials. Created by a librarian and preservation specialist, REACTPAK is a valuable disaster preparedness tool.

TO KEEP THE RECOVERY TEAM CLEAN AND DRY
Supplies that protect hands, feet, and clothing during the hours of salvaging wet, messy materials, and protect workers from breathing contaminated, mold-laden air include:
8 disposable aprons, 8 pairs disposable vinyl gloves, 2 pairs slip-on stretchable boots with skid-resistant soles, 2 dust masks, NIOSH/MSHA-approved for protection against dust and mists

TO CONTAIN WATER DAMAGE QUICKLY
Supplies that tackle the number one priority--stabilizing the environment by removing pools of standing water include:
paper towels (folded brown sheets), 2 large, cellulose sponges, cotton deck mop and handle (wooden handle breaks down to 3 pieces), mop bucket (includes handle, wringer, bucket), 2 extra-large, heavy-duty trash bags, 25 feet barricade "CAUTION" tape

TO DEFLECT WATER FROM CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE
Supplies that shield materials from the source of water, such as overhead leaks, preventing further water damage to collections, bookshelves, and furniture include:
2 precut 4 mil polyethylene sheets (each 3'xl2' to cover shorter or single-faced shelving or to use on top, as awning), 2 precut 4 mil polyethylene sheets (each 3'xl8' to cover regular double-faced shelving), 100 ft. roll 2" plastic all-purpose heavy-duty tape, tape dispenser

FOR PERSONAL SAFETY IF THERE IS NO ELECTRICITY
To assist in the event of a power failure, for example, during weather disasters:
water resistant flashlight, 2 alkaline D-cell batteries

FOR WRAPPING/PACKING WET BOOKS
Starter supplies to implement the evacuation of wet materials from flooded stuck areas and to separate wet books when they are packed to send to a freezer include:
dispenser-pack of polyethylene inner-folded deli wrap (1000 jumbo 10-3/4" x 15" sheets wrap 1000 average-size books); RESCUBE--the reusable polyethylene corrugated box which holds your REACT-PAK components when they arrive to you--can withstand temperatures as low as -602F, is collapsible, records-size, with breathing holes, reinforced bottom, and 3 nylon 14" cable ties

FOR PREPARING WRITTEN DAMAGE SURVEY
Supplies for inventorying salvageable, unsalvageable, and surviving materials include:
clipboard, pad of 8-1/2 x 11 lined paper, 2 sharpened pencils, package of 100 3x5 cards, china marker pencil

INFORMATION PACKET FOR DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
When you order REACTPAK, you will also receive:
valuable tips, directory listing of refrigerated warehouses in your state, "Emergency DO'S and DON'Ts for Water Damaged Materials," "Packing DO's and DON'TS." Sources of Advice on Disaster Recovery, list of Disaster Recovery and Salvage Services

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