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PREPARATION AND RESPONSE: More than buckets and mops HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE more than buckets and mops Sharman Bridges Smith, Executive Director Mississippi Library Commission sharman@mlc.lib.ms.us Slide 2 Slide 3 LIBRARIES DESTROYED/HEAVILY DAMAGED 11 public libraries 44 school libraries 4 academic libraries Gulfport Public Library Slide 4 Redefining Disaster Requires Redefined Preparedness and Response Slide 5 PREPARE AND RESPOND Prepare for the Worst Be A Player Face Reality/Take Charge Slide 6 Pass Christian Public Library Slide 7 Prepare for the Worst No communications No parent institution/governing authority No infrastructure No access No staff No resources No library No normalcy Slide 8 BE A PLAYER: Before and After the Disaster Know & be known Who can help Set priorities Share what you know Know insurance Communication options Prior business relations Pre-emergency authority Pass Christian PL - 2 weeks after Katrina & 2 months after. Slide 9 FACE REALITY Communicate/Use Linkages Larger Priorities Grieve Access, Assess, & Manage Priorities Slide 10 LARGER PRIORITIES Slide 11 Grieve Slide 12 Access/Assess & Manage Priorities Slide 13 Know What You Know Practice patience/Learn tolerance Pick your battles Be a presence/Be part of solution Speak with authority Learn to say YES and NO Reestablish library presence quickly Hard Lessons, New Opportunities Slide 14 Reestablish Library Presence Slide 15 HARD LESSONS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES