Disaster recovery training

In answer to Judith Doig's inquiry regarding disaster recovery training,
I submit the following.

This past year we ran seven such training workshops.  They were
conducted in three stages with the aim of allowing the participants time
to work in developing their disaster recovery plans in the meantime.
The first session focused specifically on background materials and the
administrative procedures necessary in putting together a plan.
Materials covered were external and internal surveys, resource lists,
phone lists, possible approached in gathering information and in
developing staff support for the plan (including the director),
potential problems, development of cooperative relationships with other
institutions, the philosophy behind and components of such a plan, etc.
The second session allowed the participants an opportunity to discuss
their success, disappointments, and problems in developing such a plan.
This was done in an informal atmosphere with a great deal of discussion.
The final session was a "wet books recovery session" in which the
participants rolled up their sleeves and got wet and dirty.  Generally,
the full series received good marks from the participants.  We haven't
received as many completed disaster preparedness plans as we had hoped
for by now, but I am hopeful that now that summer vacations and tourists
(on Cape Cod) have passed these people will complete their plans.  The
enthusiasm was definitely there.  Oh, by the way, the average attendance
was about 20 people per series.  If you have any further questions
please feel free to contact me.

Gregor Trinkaus-Randall
Collection Management/Preservation Specialist
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
648 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02215-2070
617-267-9400
Fax: 617-421-9833

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 8:20
               Distributed: Wednesday, September 21, 1994
                        Message Id: cdl-8-20-004
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