According to MD State Law Library Staff:
>
> Subject: asbestos abate lib
> Status: ON 32768
> Mailed To: law-lib@ucdavis.edu
>
> Our library is planning for some major re-location(staff &collection) efforts
> due to anticipated asbestos abatement in the library this Summer. Does anyone
> have any words of wisdom, literature cites, experiences to share on a library
> planning for asbestos removal? Thank you!
>
> Mike S. Miller
> Md. State Law Library
> Courts of Appeal Building
> Annapolis, MD. 21401 Phone (410)974-3395 Fax (410)974-2063
> mmiller@epfl1.epflbalto.org
>
Our library went through the nightmare of asbestos removal in
1985-86, and wouldn't wish the experience on our worst
enemies. But you asked, so here goes.
Removal for us began in Fall, 1985, in our storage areas and
moved floor by floor. This was because of the elaborate
precautions taken to prevent contamination (entrances, showers,
removal/disposal of asbestos, etc.). The staff and customers
were greatly inconvenienced during this period since all
materials in storage had been sent to a warehouse and was
unavailable . The removal of our materials and its placement
back, supposedly where it came from is another nightmare. The
moving company assured us that their staff knew what they were
doing. NOT! If you can hire a moving company experienced in
library moves, great! If not, be prepared to reshelve every
item in your collection several times when you reenter the
building.
Once the public areas were in line to be done, our building
closed for 3 months. We were relocated, phone service only,
into the cafeteria and band room of a jr. high school, subject
to the hours of the summer custodians (7-3:30), so our
reference service, for all intents and purposes, did not exist
that summer. Our staff was sent to branch libraries to help
fill in during vacations, so our "regular" work suffered
greatly, and took months to catch up.
Our move back into the building was no easier. The moving
company had labeled each box of materials and corresponding
shelves. Unfortunately, the asbestos company had put the
shelves back in the wrong order, thus necessitating us handling
all of our collection several times before a semblance of order
was achieved. We, the regular staff, had no say in the whole
procedure, and couldn't even monitor the moving company staff
when they were reshelving.
The major thing to remember when such an event is going to take
place, is to PLAN PLAN PLAN, and to involve as many of those on
the front lines as possible. When we had a problem, we had to
track down someone "in charge" and the problem had mushroomed
by then. PR is also important, as your public needs to be kept
informed of the progress of the project, and when they can get
to the collection again.
If line staff can be represented in the planning stages, so
that potential problems can be addressed before a contract is
signed, a lot of headaches will be eleminated. Had we had this
luxury, stipulations about staff supervision of moving company
people could have been inserted.
Also, every time table that you can devise will be changed by
circumstances. Our closure and moving out of the building was
postponed several times because of a delay the asbestos
removal. Service thus was not curtailed prematurly. Also, we
were faced with the possibility of being out on the street when
school was about to open. So a temporary site that has no
other demands on it would be best.
Hope this helps.
Take 2 aspirins and call me in the morning.
Jerry Drye
Norfolk Public Library
Norfolk, Virginia
(804) 441-2579
jdrye@leo.vsla.edu
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