Recommended Emergency Supplies

Library Collections Emergency Response Supplies

Use this checklist to create a stock of emergency supplies. These are the recommended supplies and quantities for handling minor and intermediate emergencies involving up to 200 books. Adapt this list to your workplace needs and availability of supplies through your facilities manager. Create an inventory of the supplies and equipment listed by storage location to include in your library emergency plan and include copies of the library emergency plan with your supplies.

[Supplies listed in brackets are optional, stock these supplies as appropriate.]

Please contact HL_PreservationInfo@harvard.edu or collcon@fas.harvard.edu for specific product information.

Activity Product and Purpose (quantity)
Health and Safety
  • nitrile gloves (avoid gloves containing rubber because of potential allergic reactions)(1 box, 100)
  •  disposable aprons (polyethylene) (1 box, 100)
  •  dust masks (1 box)
  • antibacterial wipes (use if hand-washing is not possible; do not use on collection materials) (100)
  • safety goggles (non-vented goggles that can fit over prescription eye glasses) (2)
  • bottled water (1 case)
  • yellow “caution tape” (1 roll)
First Response
  • Polyethylene sheeting (6 mil. thick, 100’ long; can be pre-cut to drape over ranges) (2 Rolls)
  • paper towels (1 carton, C-fold preferred over rolls)
  • plastic bags (zip style in a 1-gallon and 2-gallon sizes) (40)
  • flashlight or head lamp with fresh batteries (1 in each supply location)
  • rubber-based clear packing tape (e.g. 3M 375) (2 rolls)
  • Scissors (8”, straight blade) (3 pairs)
  • utility knife 1 utility knife replacement blades (1 box)
  • ladder (small step type to assist with draping plastic) (1)
  • x-large/jumbo 2" binder clips (3 dozen)
Air Drying 
  • box fan (1)
  • outdoor extension cord (1)
  • kraft paper roll (1)
  • [vertical desktop file organizer or dish rack (for drying AV materials)] (2)
  •  [fishing line (for drying negatives, microfiche, etc.) (100')
  • [small bulldog clips (for drying negatives, microfiche, etc.)] (100)
Packing
  • Rescubes® (12” x 15.5” x 10” polyethylene boxes) (1 box of 25) (Do not purchase: request from HD)
  • interfolded dry wax deli paper, white, 10 x 15" (1 box, 500 sheets)
  • china marker/grease pencil (for marking wet boxes); permanent markers for marking dry boxes (4)
  • trash bags (30 or 40 gallon, 3 mil. thick to line cardboard boxes) (20)
  • [plastic bags, zip style, 10” x 13”, 6 mil thick for AV materials] (50)
  • [hold-down tape or “zebra tape” (for securing loose AV reels)] (1)
Record Keeping
  • pencils (10)
  • pencil sharpener (small hand held) (1)
  • clip board (2)
  • paper pads (8.5” x 11”, wide ruled) (6)
  • photocopies of emergency inventory form
Tools
  • [needlenose pliers (for unframing items)] (1)
  • [Philips and flathead screwdrivers (for unframing items)] (1)
Cleaning
  • bucket (2)
  • sponge (2)

 

HLPS_LibraryCollectionsEmergencyResponseSupplies.pdf190 KB