Every library should have an Emergency Preparedness Plan and a Crisis Communication Plan that are updated yearly. Despite so many new ways to communicate over the past 5-10 years and an increasing number of extreme weather events and other possible threats to safety, there are no current publications addressing these important areas for libraries. You will learn what Emergency Preparedness and Crisis Communication Plans should address. We will specifically work on how each library can identify its top three likely emergencies. We will also consider how a library's location changes each plan. We will address the importance of preparing statements ahead of time to quickly communicate with staff and patrons, including using social media. A prime takeaway will give you planning steps to implement so your library is not caught unprepared by an emergency.
Learning Objectives:
Prepare a Disaster Preparedness Plan to address the specific concerns of their library, including the three most likely unexpected events to impact their library.
Prepare a Crisis Communication Plan so that quick decisions affecting the library can be made in a crisis according to a chain of command based on who is available.
Prepare statements in advance of emergencies that can be immediately shared via social media and news outlets if an emergency affects the library.
