[Libs-Or] Wildfire Resources

[Jennifer Patterson]

Dear Library Community,
The recent wildfires have devastated areas and communities across the state. Many of you have been personally impacted, and our hearts go out to you as you grieve your losses and move through the recovery process. With the significant and widespread damage, it's remarkable that to date most library buildings and collections have escaped extensive damage. We are saddened to hear that the Blue River Volunteer Library was destroyed by fire and we are aware that many libraries had to close due to evacuation orders or hazardous air quality. As you begin to assess any damage to your library, we wanted to share some resources that may be helpful:


*         The Oregon Heritage Office has developed an Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery Resources<https://www.oregon.gov/oprd/OH/Pages/DisasterPrep.aspx> guide. This includes information about treatment of collections damaged by smoke and fire as well as general information about wildfire response and recovery, historic building assessment, and funding resources.

*         The Oregon State Archives can provide information and support related to government records. The state archivist recommends the following if you are a government employee whose building has been impacted by the wildfires:

o   Consider your priorities. Concentrate on high value/irreplaceable records and materials.

o   Materials that can be replaced should be ignored for the time being.

o   Make an assessment of the situation and survey damage to records and materials. A collection assessment tool adapted by the State Archives from the Field Guide to Emergency Response<https://www.culturalheritage.org/resources/emergencies/disaster-response-recovery/fieldguide> is attached and may be useful.

o   Depending on the type of damage and severity, treatment will vary. If the damage is from water, mold and mildew are a high risk. Recommend drying as soon as possible. Soot and ash are also very abrasive. Recommend vacuuming soot/ash rather than brushing to avoid further damage.

o   A list of government records<https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/Pages/records_retention_schedule.aspx> with possible long-term historical value can be found on the State Archives web site.

o   Fire Damage Resources<https://sos.oregon.gov/archives/Pages/fires.aspx> are also available on their web site.


Please contact the State Archives if public records were destroyed or damaged and discuss salvage or alternative storage efforts.

Stephanie Clark, CRM

State Archivist

Oregon State Archives

503-378-8161

stephanie.clark at oregon.gov<mailto:stephanie.clark at oregon.gov>

If your library has experienced damage, we would also like to hear from you so that we can track the impacts and provide you with information and resources that may be helpful to your situation. Please contact Library Support and Development Services Program Manager Buzzy Nielsen at buzzy.nielsen at state.or.us<mailto:buzzy.nielsen at state.or.us> or 971-375-3486. Be safe and well and know that we are here to support you as we navigate the devastating impacts to our beautiful state.

Jennifer

Jennifer Patterson
State Librarian
Pronouns: she/her/hers
jennifer.l.patterson at state.or.us<mailto:jennifer.l.patterson at state.or.us>
Office: 503-378-4367 | Cell: 971-375-2713
www.oregon.gov/library
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[Title: State Library of Oregon]

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