McClure and Ryan Present Hurricane Project at Conferences

The Information Use Management & Policy Institute (Information Institute) was invited to participate in a number of conferences related to the Use of Public Libraries in Hurricane Response and Preparedness in April and May, 2009. These conference participation opportunities relate to ongoing research efforts by the Institute regarding the Public Libraries in Hurricane Preparedness and Response Project. This project is a grant effort obtained through the Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center at Florida State University’s College of Business, and extends through December 31, 2009.

The first was the 2009 National Hurricane Conference, held April 6-April 10 in Austin, TX. This conference is the nation's forum for education and professional training in hurricane preparedness. The primary goal of the National Hurricane Conference is to improve hurricane preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation in order to save lives and property in the United States and the tropical islands of the Caribbean and Pacific. This conference serves as a national forum for federal, state and local officials to exchange ideas and recommend new policies to improve Emergency Management. The complete program from the 2009 National Hurricane Conference can be downloaded here. The 2010 National Hurricane Conference is scheduled for March 29-April 2 in Orlando, Florida.

At the National Hurricane Conference, the Information Institute was represented by Mr. Joe Ryan who served as the Project Manager for the Public Libraries in Hurricane Preparedness and Response Project. Mr. Ryan’s presentation was entitled Public Libraries Hidden Assets in Community Disaster Response and was part of a panel discussion that covered Empowering Your Citizens to Be Part of Your Disaster Preparedness/Response Program. This discussion addressed the county and municipal partnerships and tools necessary to develop a disaster preparedness program for neighborhood associations, as well as some techniques for keeping evacuated residents informed of hurricane information.

On May 6, Dr. Charles R. McClure, the project Principal Investigator made a presentation at the Florida Library Association in Orlando that introduced the project website and discussed the various service roles that public libraries can provide their local community in hurricane preparedness and response. McClure also made a presentation May 14 in Fort Lauderdale at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference to emergency management officials that introduced them to the activities and importance of public libraries in hurricane preparedness and response. The Governor’s Hurricane Conference is the premier hurricane conference in Florida and brings together a broad array of participants in hurricane emergency management. The ideas and roles regarding public libraries were very well received.

The Information Use Management & Policy Institute is directed by Charles R. McClure, Ph.D., Francis Eppes Professor at the College of Communication & Information, Florida State University (FSU). Dr. McClure has created a collaborative partnership with state libraries in the Gulf Coast, libraries in Florida, and others that continues to gather extensive research on the role and use of public libraries in hurricane preparedness and response throughout the Gulf Coast region.

Extension Grant Awarded to the Public Libraries in Hurricane Preparedness and Response Project

The Information Use Management & Policy Institute was awarded an extension to its grant from the Florida Catastrophic Storm Risk Management Center at Florida State University’s College of Business to continue work on the Public Libraries in Hurricane Preparedness and Response Project. This extension brings the total grant value to $311,000 and extends the effort through December 31, 2009.

The Information Use Management & Policy Institute is directed by Charles R. McClure, PhD, Francis Eppes Professor at the College of Information, Florida State University (FSU). Dr. McClure has created a collaborative partnership that continues to gather extensive research on the impact of hurricane on public libraries throughout the Gulf Coast region. This cooperative effort has included such key contributors as the State Library and Archives of Florida, directed by Judith Ring, Lyrasis directed by Kate Nevins, and Florida’s Multi-type Library Cooperatives and public libraries throughout the region as well as federal, state, local and community agencies concerned with Florida hurricane preparedness and response.

Additional and expanded tasks to be completed during the extension period include the following.

• Expand project web site content and capabilities.
• Conduct marketing and promotion of the project and website.
• Develop statewide joint planning and training opportunities.
• Integrate public libraries into local emergency management.
• Explore additional public library service roles during hurricane disasters.
• Hold a statewide conference.

The statewide conference is planned for November – December 2009, and will provide a forum for public librarians, local and state officials, and emergency managers to become familiar with the project activities; share disaster response best practices, evaluate the extensive information and resources provided by the project website; and discuss the next steps that should be taken to extend and sustain this important project.

For further information, please contact Chuck McClure charles.mcclure@cci.fsu.edu Principal Investigator at the Information Institute.