Severe Weather/Tornado Emergency Procedures

When severe thunderstorms with lightning, that may cause power disruptions, are observed in the immediate area follow procedures outlined by the IT staff.

When a TORNADO WARNING is given by the National Weather Service, proceed as follows:

1. CIRCULATION DESK SUPERVISOR (Emergency Control Center)

• Secure the cash and coordinate the assignments of other staff.

• Clear the library area; clear the small group study room, clear the Reference room and direct patrons to the Student Cafe.

• Halt the circulation system, if time allows. Otherwise, leave the terminals on.

• All circulation staff and student assistants have exited, and then exit also.

If you know a storm is coming (like a hurricane):

1. Run reports

Age of your collection

Value of your collection

Shelf list (or do a back-up that can be saved in several places)

2. Take digital pictures of everything in your library. (Save them in more than one place)

3. If you cover everything, that's great, but if you lose your power and your school is hit hard enough for roof loss, those books will just bake and mildew and not be salvageable.

4. Get your very special personal items or school items in a very safe place now. You may not be able to get back in the building to retrieve them.

5. Consider having someone in the district or school rent a truck.

Refrigerated is good for the library books. This could be a life saver after the storm. If your school is hit but there are rooms not damaged, a truck will be useful in getting equipment out (TVs, VCRs, overheads, etc.) that you will be very thankful to have.