You are receiving this e-mail as a subscriber to the Virginia Records Officer Listserv (VA-ROL). # # Keepers of the Record - I promise you, we were working on the wording of this post before the earthquake hit, but that event certainly adds a bit of emphasis to the reminders below. If you sustained any records damage this afternoon, please let us know so that we may help. You are probably aware that the weather folks are currently forecasting Hurricane Irene to arrive in the Commonwealth sometime this weekend, probably bringing with it heavy winds and rain. Please take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of yourself and your work areas, but this is also a reminder to check on your records storage areas to ensure that everything remain as safe and dry as possible. At a minimum, think about where plastic sheeting placed over records vulnerable to roof and window leaks could be especially helpful....and then do it before you go home for the weekend. Damage can also occur if your facility loses power for any length of time, as poor air circulation, along with wet conditions outside, can lead to mold growth inside. If you suspect mold growth, please do not touch any material with your bare hands, but wear gloves and other protection, and then only if you *have* to handle the records. It is best not to handle any mold-contaminated material at all, but rather contact your agency's emergency response personnel. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or any of the Records Analysts here at the Library. We can provide assistance with documenting damage, guidance on how to recover or assess damaged records, and, if you do not have a contract with a recovery agency, we can point you in the right direction to begin a recovery process. Also, please remember the Library's State Records Center is equipped with a blast freezer that can assist with stabilizing water-logged records until the recovery process is initiated. If you have any urgent concerns or have gone through an event with which you need help, please call the main Records Analysis number at (804) 692-3705 during regular business hours or (804) 687-4843 or (804) 687-4809 after hours. Wishing you a safe, calm, dry, and steady next few days. - Glenn --------------------------------------------- Glenn T. Smith [log in to unmask] Records Analyst www.lva.virginia.gov The Library of Virginia 804-692-3604 --------------------------------------------- To UNSUBSCRIBE, change options, or subscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-rol.html (If using Netscape, must have version 6.1 or higher to view the above page)