Disaster Supplies

• Cardboard boxes (if you are going to freeze or freeze dry books immediately; cardboard absorbs moisture)
• Plastic crates (if there will be any delay in freezing)
• Plastic garbage bags to line cardboard boxes, if plastic crates aren’t available
• Pencils or indelible pens or markers for marking boxes
• Freezer or wax paper

Air-drying supplies:

• Paper towels or unprinted newspaper or blotting paper, for interleaving
• Bone folders and microspatulas for separating wet pages
• Fishline or clothesline for hanging books or documents
• Electric fans
• Dehumidifiers
• Heavy duty electric cords

Cleaning supplies:

• Paper toweling
• Sponges, mops and pails
• Rubber gloves
• Respirator or mask
• Goggles
• New plastic garbage cans (or plastic trays or dishpans) filled with clean cold water for rinsing mud covered materials
• Protective clothing
• Lysol cleaner or spray, for cleaning and spraying dirty or moldy storage areas

Miscellaneous needs:

• Flashlights
• Carts for transporting loaded boxes
• Cleared area and tables in which to sort, clean and pack materials

Sources:

• Freezing: See sections "Cold Storage Facilities in Iowa" and "Disaster Recovery Suppliers, Services and Bibliography"
• Local hardware or lumber stores
• Local newspaper offices
• Local drug stores