Preservation at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagu¨ez (UPRM): Building Capacity for Collection Care and Disaster Preparedness

FAIN: PG-263517-19

University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez (Mayaguez, PR 00680-6475)
Anidza Valentin (Project Director: April 2018 to October 2021)

The purchase of a biosafety cabinet as part of a larger preservation and disaster preparedness plan for humanities collections including the Puerto Rican Collection of over 40,000 books, periodicals, maps, photographs, letters, and other artifacts related to the history of Puerto Rico and of the university; the Josefina and Manuel Álvarez Nazario Collection of over 5,000 books of Puerto-Rican and Spanish literature and the couple’s ephemera connected with literary criticism; and a Rare Books Collection. Hurricane Maria (2017) caused a failure of the library’s HVAC system and a mold outbreak in the collection. A biosafety cabinet is a precaution for safely and economically housing collections in the event of future natural disasters.

Dating back to late 17th Century, the Puerto Rican and the Alvarez Nazario Collections withheld extraordinary resources, e.g. rare books, maps, documents, photographs, manuscripts, art works, pertaining to the history, culture and literary evolution of Puerto Rico, Ibero-America, and Spain. These collections support the understanding of the complex heritage background of our Island through first accountant of events and primary sources not available anywhere else. The UPRM Library will create the foundation for a preservation program and disaster preparedness plan. Proposed activities include the renovation of a space within the library for cleaning and rehousing collections; acquisition of a Biosafety Cabinet to treat infested resources in an economical sustainable manner; training of library, archives, and museum personnel in the proper use of the equipment; development of preservation manual, and establishment of collections monitoring and cleaning program.

Media Coverage

La Biblioteca continúa su jornada de preparación (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Osorio de Jesús, I.
Publication: Front page campus website
Date: 5/31/2019
Abstract: Press office interviewed Miriam Centeno and the preservation team, highlighting the training for emergency preparedness and preservation of our resources.
URL: https://www.uprm.edu/portada/2019/05/31/la-biblioteca-continua-su-jornada-de-preparacion/

Associated Products

Salvaguardando nuestros recursos: Muestra de herramientas y materiales de almacenamiento para colecciones especiales [Safeguarding our resources: Sample storage tools and materials for special collections]. (Exhibition)
Title: Salvaguardando nuestros recursos: Muestra de herramientas y materiales de almacenamiento para colecciones especiales [Safeguarding our resources: Sample storage tools and materials for special collections].
Curator: Ayala-González, H. T.
Curator: Irizarry Rivera, K.
Curator: Alvarez, J. E.
Abstract: During Preservation Week 2019 (April 22 - 27, 2019), the General Library's preservation team organized an exhibit showcasing some of the equipment, supplies, and rehousing examples acquired with NEH funding.
Year: 2019
Primary URL: https://twitter.com/BibliotecaUPRM/ status/1121179494189031437
Primary URL Description: Exhibit during Preservation Week 2019

Colecciones en tiempos de emergencia: ¿Cómo actuar? [Collections in time of emergency: What to do?] (Web Resource)
Title: Colecciones en tiempos de emergencia: ¿Cómo actuar? [Collections in time of emergency: What to do?]
Author: Ayala-González, H. T.
Abstract: LibGuide containing informative material and aid available for educational and cultural institutions that experience threats after the passage of a catastrophic event. Information was updated in 2019.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: http://libguides.uprm.edu/rescatecoleccionespr
Primary URL Description: Colecciones en tiempos de emergencia

Una respuesta local ante realidades globales: El cuidado de colecciones ante desastres naturales [A local response to global realities: Collection care and natural disasters] (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Una respuesta local ante realidades globales: El cuidado de colecciones ante desastres naturales [A local response to global realities: Collection care and natural disasters]
Author: Ayala-González, H.T.
Author: Centeno, M.
Author: Irizarry Rivera, K.
Author: Ortiz Méndez, N.
Author: Sepúlveda Maiz, G.
Author: Mejías Ruiz, K.
Abstract: In September 2017, Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricanes Irma and María, causing great devastation throughout the Archipelago. The repercussions of this atmospheric event have made recovery in libraries, archives and museums slow and difficult. In addition, it has required the review of the practices implemented to date to efficiently safeguard the resources for which they are responsible and ensure their continuous access. Such is the case of the Library of the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus, which lacked a program dedicated to the care of collections and disaster management before the event. Although they suffered the impact of the hurricanes, thanks to a rapid response, they managed to mitigate the damage quickly and secure emergency funds to train personnel and stabilize the impacted collections. In addition, this experience gave way to recognizing a new post-Maria scenario, and a new project arises in the institution in order to improve the capacity for prevention, mitigation, preparation, response and recovery. In order to inspire other colleagues in the face of the continuing threat from natural disasters in our region, this poster will share the strategies implemented for the establishment of a preservation program, with emphasis on: the formation of a work team with the collaboration and mentoring of experts, staff training, climate control and monitoring activities, the process of evaluation and re-storage of affected resources, and the development of an emergency plan for collections.
Date: 08/08/2019
Primary URL: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11801/2511
Conference Name: Encuentro Latinoamericano de Bibliotecarios, Archivistas y Museólogos (EBAM)

Haciendo mucho con poco: El desarrollo de destrezas en preservación en profesionales en bibliotecas y archivos de Puerto Rico. [Doing a lot with a little: Developing preservation skills with library and archives professionals in Puerto Rico] (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Haciendo mucho con poco: El desarrollo de destrezas en preservación en profesionales en bibliotecas y archivos de Puerto Rico. [Doing a lot with a little: Developing preservation skills with library and archives professionals in Puerto Rico]
Author: Ayala-González, H.T.
Abstract: Presentation was given at the Society of American Archivist Preservation Section’s Twitter Conference for Preservation Week 2019.
Date: 04/24/2019
Primary URL: https://twitter.com/hildateresayala/status/1121111568127860736
Primary URL Description: Twitter link to the thread conversation of the presenter during the activity.
Conference Name: Society of American Archivist Preservation Section’s Twitter Conference for Preservation Week 2019

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