There are many different types of emergencies that could occur on Library premises. The important thing to remember is to stay calm and not panic.

Branch Libraries: notify Public Safety at 911
Firestone Library: notify Library Security at 8-3221.

• Be guided by Security.
• Follow correct evacuation procedures if necessary.
• Avoid using telephones to keep lines clear for emergency use.
• Notify Dottie Pearson (8-3215) as soon as possible.
• Branches should also notify their Branch Head.
  

Emergency Procedures:
Bomb Threat

If you receive a telephone threat:

• Listen carefully. Be polite and show interest. Try to keep the caller talking so that you can gather as much of the following information as possible:

    When will the bomb explode?
    Where is it (which floor, area, etc.)?
    What does it look like?
    What kind of bomb is it?
    What will cause it to explode?
    When was it planted?
    Did the caller plant the bomb?
    Why?
    What is the caller's name?

• If possible while on the phone, write a note to a colleague to call Public Safety (Branches, 911) or Library Security (Firestone, 8-3221), or phone as soon as the caller hangs up. Do not call the police yourself. Security will notify law enforcement and public service agencies as appropriate.
• Be guided by Security. If evacuation is ordered, follow the correct procedures.
• Notify Dottie Pearson (8-3215) as soon as possible.
• Promptly write a report that includes as many details as you can remember, such as:

     The exact words of the caller.
     The caller's gender.
     Any distinctive vocal characteristics.
     Any background noises.

If you receive a bomb threat by card or letter:

• Allow no one to handle it. Write down everything you remember about its receipt.
• Notify Library Security (Firestone, 8-3221) or Public Safety (Branches, 911) . Do not call the police yourself. Security will notify law enforcement and public service agencies as appropriate.
• Do not discuss the threat with other staff; speak only to Security.
• Be guided by Security. If evacuation is ordered, follow the correct procedures.
• Notify Dottie Pearson (8-3215) as soon as possible.

Emergency Procedures:
Earthquake

During an earthquake, if you are inside:

• Stay inside.
• Watch for falling objects.
• Crawl under a table or a desk, or stand in a doorway.
• Stay away from windows, mirrors, overhead fixtures, filing cabinets, bookcases, and electrical equipment.

If you are outside:

• Move to an open area away from buildings, trees, and power lines.
• If forced to stand near a building, watch for falling objects.

After an earthquake:

• Be prepared for aftershocks.
• Be guided by Security.
• Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in obvious, immediate danger (of fire, building collapse, etc.).
• Open doors carefully. Watch for falling objects. Do not use elevators.
• Do not use matches or lighters due to possible broken gas lines.
• Avoid using telephones to keep the lines clear for emergency use.

Most elevators on campus have emergency telephones inside them to notify Campus Security that someone is stuck in the elevator. The newer telephones will be direct links to Public Safety, the older telephones require dialing 8-1000. For the older telephones, numbers for Public Safety are posted near the telephone.

• If you are in the elevator when it stops, pick up the telephone and notify Public Safety that you are stuck in the elevator. Try to give them your location ie: which elevator, which building etc.
• Do not try to force the doors open or get out on your own. Wait for help.
• Remain calm.
• If you are inside the elevator during a power outage, the emergency lights will come on in the elevator. Security will manually operate the elevator to bring it to the closest floor and open the doors so that you may exit.

If you are near an elevator and you hear someone who is stuck in the elevator:

• Do NOT attempt to remove passengers; tell them that help is on the way.
• Stay with the person if possible.
• Call the building Maintenance Shop (weekdays: 8-8000) or Public Safety (evenings, weekends: 8-1000).

Emergency Procedures:
Evacuation Procedures

Since an emergency may happen at any time, it is important that your work supervisor know of your whereabouts and of any changes that you make in your work schedule. This applies to student library assistants as well as regular staff. When you hear the fire alarm or are told to evacuate the building:

• Go to the closest exit and leave the building. If you are away from your own work unit and unsure where the closest exit is located, go the nearest work unit and exit with the staff of that work unit. (For more information on exits in Firestone, see Appendix III.)
• Do not use the elevators or go out of your way to retrieve your coat or other personal items.
• If you are disabled and need assistance leaving the building, call Library Security (8-3221) to request help.
• Assemble at your designated location with your work unit so the supervisor can take a head count.
• The supervisor will report any missing persons to the Library Emergency and Fire Protection Coordinator, Dottie Pearson, or her designated backups.. They will be available by the statue in front of Firestone Library.
• Wait until Security says it is safe to enter the building. Re-entry into Firestone is through the front door only.
  

Branch Libraries should follow their own emergency action plans.

Emergency Procedures:
Fire

In the event of a fire:

Branch Libraries: notify Public Safety immediately at 911. Also notify Dottie Pearson (8-3215)
Firestone Library: notify Library Security immediately at 8-3221. Library Security will notify Public Safety and Dottie Pearson.

• Do not call the Fire Department yourself.
• Sound the nearest fire alarm.
• Evacuate the area immediately and be aware of a second exit. Close doors behind you to confine the fire. Never allow the fire to come between you and the exit.
• Do not break windows. Oxygen feeds a fire.
• Before opening any door, touch it near the top. If the door is hot or if smoke is visible, do not open the door.
• Do not use elevators.
• Do not attempt to save possessions at the risk of personal injury.
• Do not return to the emergency area until instructed to do so by Security.
• Do not attempt to fight the fire unless you have been properly trained in the use of fire extinguishers.

When you hear the fire alarm or are told to evacuate the building:

• Go to the closest exit and leave the building. If you are away from your own work unit and unsure where the closest exit is located, go the nearest work unit and exit with the staff of that work unit.
• If you are disabled and need assistance leaving the building, call Library Security (8-3221) to request help.
• Assemble at your designated location with your work unit so the supervisor can take a head count.
• The supervisor will report any missing persons to the Library Emergency and Fire Protection Coordinator, Dottie Pearson, or her designated backups.. They will be available by the statue in front of Firestone Library.
• Wait until Security says it is safe to enter the building. Re-entry into Firestone is through the front door only.
  

Branch Libraries should follw their own emergency action plans.

Emergency Procedures:
Floor/Ceiling Damage

• Get patrons away from the affected area.
• If possible, cover the affected book range or furniture with plastic sheets.
• Report the problem to the building maintenance shop.
• Report the problem to Preservation (8-5591), then to either Dottie Pearson for Firestone Library or Marvin Bielawski for the Branch Libraries.
• Contact janitorial service, for any clean-up needed.
• In the Branch Libraries, if the emergency occurs at night or on the weekend, call Campus Security (8-1000); then call the Branch Librarian at home. In Firestone, notify Library Security (8-3221).
  

Emergency Procedures:
Power Outage

Both Firestone Library and the Branch Libraries are equipped with emergency lights that should come on in the event of a power outage.

• Turn off all computer equipment.
• In Firestone Library, the security officers will notify the Systems Office so that the servers can be shut down and brought back up properly.
• f you are in an unlighted area, proceed cautiously to an area that has emergency lights.
• Do not use the elevators.
• If the power does not return in a few minutes, try to determine how long the outage is likely to last. Branch Libraries should check with their maintenance shop during business hours or, if at night or on the weekend, check with Public Safety (8-1000). In Firestone Library, check with Library Security (8-3221).
• If the power is expected to be out longer than one hour, it may be necessary to evacuate or close the Library. Branch Libraries should notify Library Administration (8-3215) before closing; after business hours, notify the Branch Head Librarian before closing the Library.
• If, when the power comes back on, your computer is not working properly, notify the Systems Office (8-5580).
  

Emergency Procedures:
Tornado

According to the National Weather Service, a Tornado Watch indicates that conditions are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. A Tornado Warning indicates that a tornado has been sighted in the area and is a clear signal to take cover.

If a Tornado Warning is given, follow instructions from Security.

• Move away from glass walls, windows, and partitions and toward structurally reinforced areas, such as rest rooms and interior corridors.
• Lie down along an interior wall and cover your head.

After a tornado has passed:

• Be guided by Security. If evacuation is ordered, proceed to your designated area.
• Do not move injured persons unless they are in obvious, immediate danger (of fire, building collapse, etc.).
• Open doors carefully. Watch for falling objects. Do not use elevators.
• Do not use matches or lighters due to possible broken gas lines.
• Avoid using telephones to keep lines clear for emergency use.