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Cultural Institutions Prepare for Disasters on "MayDay"

Archives, libraries, museums and historic preservation organizations across the United States are setting aside May 1, 2007, to participate in "MayDay" -- a national effort to protect cultural resources from disasters.

"MayDay" is an initiative of  The Heritage Emergency National Task Force -- a partnership of 40 national service organizations and federal agencies. The Task Force was founded in 1995 and is co-sponsored by FEMA and Heritage Preservation.

The Task Force was formed to help libraries and archives, museums, historical societies, and historic sites better protect their collections and buildings from natural disasters and other emergencies. The Task Force promotes preparedness and mitigation and provides expert information on response and salvage to institutions and the public.

The "MayDay" initiative was created last year by the Society of American Archivists and that organization helped the Task Force expand the concept to include all kinds of collecting institutions and historic preservation interests. The Task Force urges cultural institutions across the country to observe "MayDay" by taking at least one step to prepare to respond to a disaster.

Some of the 40 Task Force members include:  American Association of Museums; American Institute of Architects; American Library Association; Institute of Museum and Library Services; Library of Congress; National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers; National Endowments for the Arts and the Humanities; National Trust for Historic Preservation; National Park Service; Regional Alliance for Preservation; and the Smithsonian Institution. 

For more information:  http://www.heritagepreservation.org/PROGRAMS/TASKFER.HTM

Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010 13:06:20 EDT