When Disaster Strikes II: Galveston

The Houston Chronicle reported Saturday about the gradual return of Galveston residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Johnny Hanson's photograph of mold damage to books at the Rosenberg Library is a reminder of how quickly mold spores grow in tropical climes.

Today's Library Journal published an interview with John Augelli, the Executive Director at the Rosenberg, which houses the Galveston and Texas History Center. Augelli and two of his staff members stayed in the library throughout the storm, and witnessed a six-foot storm surge that wiped out the library's first floor, its childrens collection. Prepared for wind event, the library that sits on one of the island's highest points was overwhelmed with water.

To read an updated version of Sandra Nyberg's 1987 Solinet Preservation Leaflet, "Invasion of the Giant Mold Spore," click here.

[Above: Detail of Johnny Hanson photograph "Mold has damaged books on the lower floors of the Rosenberg Library, home of the Galveston and Texas History Center." 20 September 2008 Houston Chronicle]. For full article and photograph, click here.

When Disaster Strikes: Resources

Architectural records damaged in New Orleans during Hurricane Gustav. 09.2008 by K. Rylance

The Southeastern Architectural Archive received many calls after Hurricane Katrina and more recently after Hurricane Gustav from architects and engineers whose office records were damaged by wind and/or water. For those seeking resources and supplies, the following information may be beneficial:

For Appraisals: The American Society of Appraisers maintains a directory of certified appraisers. Why might one desire a professional appraisal? Many insurance companies require appraisal by a certified specialist. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) also requires appraisals by qualified appraisers for tax reporting purposes.

For Mold Remediation: Document Reprocessors, Munters and Belfor are companies that provide disaster mitigation services. Tulane University Libraries hired Belfor to vacuum freeze-dry, gamma-irradiate, and process Hurricane Katrina flood-damaged books and documents.

For Conservation: The American Institute for Conservation (AIC) has an emergency response team and maintains an online guide to finding a conservator.

On 29 August 2008, the Library of Congress announced its new "Learning from Katrina" webpage that features seven interviews with conservators who lent their assistance in 2005. The site includes additional resources and tips related to hurricane response and recovery. Heritage Emergency National Task Force also maintains a website for current disaster information related to 2008 hurricanes and tropical storms. One feature is Heritage Preservation's ten-minute film "Coping with Water Damage."

Carol Turchan's 1988 article "The Chicago Historical Society Flood: Recovery Analysis Two Years Later" provides experience-based insights for coping with sodden architectural drawings.

For Archival Materials: University Products, Talas, Gaylord, and Hollinger Metal Edge all sell archival storage and conservation products.

For Archival Flat File Cabinets:

Mayline Group 619 N. Commerce P.O.Box 728 Sheboygan, WI 53082-0728 Telephone: (920) 457-5537 Fax: (920) 457-7388	Ulrich Planfiles 2120 Fourth Avenue Lakewood, NY 14750 Telephone: (800) 346-2875 Fax: (716) 763-1818
Bradford Systems Corporate Office 8700 Waukegan Rd., Suite 110 Morton Grove, IL 60053-210 Telephone: (847) 965-5070 Fax: (847) 965-5247	Safco Products, Inc. 9300 W. Research Center Rd New Hope, MN 55428 Telephone: (800) 328-3020