Preserving the Collection: Disaster Planning, Response & Recovery

  Hurricane Pamela made landfall on the west coast of Mexico today. While it will weaken, central and northern Texas should prepare for potential heavy rains and flash flooding. If you have questions about salvaging your collections, our phone line is actively monitored: (669) 237-2243.    This FEMA Fact Sheet on salvaging family treasures will help get you started: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Flood_FIMA_Fact_Sheet_advice_salvaging.pdf  

  How do drying techniques for book and paper compare? This project investigates 5 drying and 2 sterilization techniques on 18th to 20th century books, determining which techniques caused the least mechanical damage. https://cool.culturalheritage.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/annual/v26/bpga26-18.pdf

  To our community in Texas and Louisiana, we hope you are safe. If you have any questions, the TX-CERA hotline is being monitored (669)237-2243 , and we have resources available online at txcera.org. Here are a couple of links to help get started: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Flood_FIMA_Fact_Sheet_advice_salvaging.pdf?fbclid=IwAR1i5lz0kbnPScET7F-KbrczzuXCyc23F8boCs0ScmWt_-twy5daADoLSXE https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-05/SalvagingFamilyValuables_sept2018.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2NO6j-I1G4tOgsgxMzJGq5qHlWhnuiYMTC2hnMCIVsJQ1Dy_xR98b52dE As you return to your institutions, remember that your safety comes first. Be sure to have PPE ready to wear and keep an eye out for pests that may have been brought in by flooding.

 The Galveston Historical Foundation provides this short video demonstrating procedures for rescuing textiles from a flood or other water-related disaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYIvfDpf6FY

 In less than three minutes the Galveston Historical Foundation does a great job at discussing the handling and drying procedures you should keep in mind when working with furniture after a flooding event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xw8aWdgi0cA

  This helpful wet salvage quick-reference chart developed by Betty Walsh allows users to quickly determine how to handle, pack, and dry various types of media (paper documents, books, paintings, computer media, photographs, etc.). https://cool.culturalheritage.org/waac/wn/wn19/wn19-2/wn19-207.html

 This informative webinar from the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation (FAIC) presents information about salvaging photographic and electronic media after a water disaster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xd_EQgRslKg

 Planning for disasters is key to successful response and recovery. This presentation by ALCTS covers many facets of disaster management – from collection care to working with vendors and volunteers – and utilizes a case study to illustrate a real-world response.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqaIR9qPyIY

Books are among the first items that should be assessed when you have a flooding incident. This useful video from the Galveston Historical Foundation demonstrates how to salvage a book that has been submerged in dirty floodwater: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iALyUeUTKg This video by Syracuse University Libraries shows you in less than three minutes how to rescue a wet book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9_fwmdCyzo

 Water damage may result from local flooding, broken pipes, roof leaks, or other water intrusion events and can have a devastating impact on cultural heritage collections. In this video, Karen Pavelka from the UT Austin School of Information demonstrates techniques for recovering wet paper and books. The methods shown can be applied at museums, libraries, or by individuals at home.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deVEElDluDU

 This comprehensive video series presented by the National Park Service and the Northeast Museum Services Center covers development and implementation of an effective disaster plan. It also provides information about disaster response and recovery and demonstrates useful post-fire salvage techniques. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqaIR9qPyIY/www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFB5E3A6B21EBA8BE

 It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re re-entering your home or institution after a disaster. This short overview video from the Galveston Historical Foundation explains how to prioritize salvage of items from a water-related disaster (flood, hurricane, burst pipe, etc.) based on the type of material:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVhrneTcLN0

  In an emergency, it may not be possible for all staff to access the complete version of an emergency preparedness plan. That is where the Pocket Response Plan (PReP) comes in. Click to access Creating_Pocket_Response_Plans_for_State_ARMs_-_PReP.pdf

  Water is the most common problem cultural institutions face in an emergency situation - whether due to hurricane activity, fire, or, as Texas experienced last week, pipes burst due to freezing conditions. This video by AIC & FAIC provides an excellent starting point to addressing flooded buildings and waterlogged collections: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwxkhj3IpxU&list=PL4DA994141F023199&index=18

  We receive and share useful tips on care of personal collections from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation: “While those of us in the conservation department are working from home, we are finding comfort in our family heirlooms and treasures—many of which require our attention. Like so many around the country, we are finally taking the time to clean out our closets, sort through our attics, and look through our family albums. While we all turn to our family treasures for comfort during these trying times, the conservation department would like to share tips on ways to care for your personal collections. Each week a different student from the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation will address ways to care for the collections in your cupboards.  This series will continue throughout the summer and cover a variety of items and materials; published posts are listed below.” Attics and Basements and Closets, Oh...

  We are thinking of all the people in Dallas affected by the tornado. If you have questions and need guidance in rescuing artworks, you can call the National Emergency Responders at (202) 661-8068 or TX-CERA at (669)-237-2243. To find a local qualified conservator, use the search function on the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) website:  https://www.culturalheritage.org/membership/find-a-conservator A few quick tips to stabilize and avoid further damage to water-damaged or impact-damaged artworks until you are able to contact a conservator. Remember: your safety comes first! For general guidelines on how to approach an emergency:  https://txcera.org/emergency-response/ For framed artworks: if the artwork is not stuck to the glass, carefully remove from frame in a safe and dry place. If you notice that the paint is lifting off the surface or if you see minute losses, do not unframe. Place painting face up on elevated blocks to provide air circulation...

  The Foundation for Advancement in Conservation ( FAIC ) offers a tool to guide responders to an emergency that affects our cultural heritage. In case of an emergency, the most important action is to stabilize the artifacts to avoid further damage until they could be properly treated by a conservator. A very useful tool to guide the first responders is the FAIC’s Emergency Response & Salvage Wheel. The two-sided-wheel lists on one side the steps of the emergency response, on the other side the appropriate action to stabilize 9 types of artifacts. The cost is $10 ($5 if you buy 10 or more). https://store.culturalheritage.org/site/index.php?app=ecom&ns=prodshow&ref=FAIC-1 Emergency Response & Salvage Wheel from FAIC website After stabilizing the artifacts, do not attempt treatment. It is very important that you contact an experienced conservator. For a list of Professional Associates and Fellows of the American Institute for Conservation...