Policy Mathilda J. Gibson Memorial Library, Creston

Emergency Procedures

In all cases of emergency Keep Calm.

Emergency phone numbers must be posted by all library telephones.

All exits must be clearly marked.

Emergency Procedures Policy must be posted In the clubroom and in the library

The highest ranking staff member Is responsible for all patrons in the building at the time of the emergency.

FIRE:

In case of fire, evacuate the building immediately. There are two exits upstairs and two downstairs. Fire extinguishers are available on both floors. Call the fire department from a nearby phone.

TORNADO:

If a siren is sounded in Creston for a sighted tornado please evacuate the main floor, go to the basement, stay away from windows, get under a heavy table against an inner wall, and stay there until the all clear siren has sounded.

Library staff: Be sure to unlock the front basement door for others needing shelter. Take a transistor radio for local information, and lock up the day's receipts.

GAS LEAK:

In case of a gas leak, evacuate the building immediately and call the gas company.

BOMB THREAT:

In case of a bomb threat, evacuate the building, lock the door and call the police.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY:

In case of a medical emergency, call for an ambulance and use basic first aid techniques as needed.

Ames Public Library

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Fire

1. Due to the high ceilings, the Library Building should be easy to evacuate in case of a fire. You should have about five minutes to carry out all procedures.

2. Fires are most likely to occur In the lower stacks, work room, and furnace room. The circulation staff would probably be the first to notice smoke from the lower stacks.

3. General instructions:
   1. Leave all lights on.
   2. Close doors behind you.
   3. Call fire department, rather than using the fire extinguishers. A fire In a wastebasket is probably the only instance in which you might use the extinguisher.
   4. Do not enter smoke areas. Leave that to the fire-fighters.
   5. Remember that some patrons may be deaf and will need direct contact.

4. The following plan should be used. For the present, shout warnings of fire until we get a better system. Periodical room staff can shout at people In the work room. They should also be buzzed on the old buzzer by circulation desk staff. Telephone to work room may also be used.

5. Periodical room staff:
   1. Notify circulation desk and/or workroom staff of fire.
   2. Be certain custodian is not in furnace room.
   3. Do not use the emergency back exit (close to furnace) unless the front door is blocked by fire (highly unlikely).
   4. Be certain all persons are out of the reading room, kitchen, lobby, and storage area. Do not concern yourself with the work room.
   5. Wait for fire fighters at front door to direct them to the fire.
   6. Check bathrooms and custodian's "office."

6. Work room staff:
   1. Notify circulation desk if fire is in the work room. Open the door and shout warning to periodical room staff.
   2. Exit out back door unless blocked. If it is blocked, exit through periodical stacks to front door.
   3. Check lower stacks unless that is location of fire. Close doors and leave by back.

7. Children room staff:
   1. Clear out all patrons and direct them to the front door.
   2. Check the reference/circulation office.
8. Reference staff:
   1. Clear out all patrons in business room and east wing (including Director's office!).
   2. Check special collections room, upper and middle stacks, and staff room.
   3. Check children's room and reference/circulation office If no one is on duty in children's room.

9. Circulation desk staff:
   1. You are responsible for calling the fire department and notifying all departments. Use the emergency number - 911. Tell the dispatcher the location of the fire In the building.
   2. If more than one person Is on duty at the circulation desk, that person can clear out upper and middle stacks (shouting will probably do it, but check for deaf persons).

10. Use of fire extinguishers

    There are located in the kitchen, bookmobile workroom, and on the south wall near the staff room. These may be used, but take no chances. The fire department can be here in two minutes.

Tornado

1. During the afternoons and evenings that appear to be stormy, the radio should be monitored in the workroom until 5:00 p.m., and by staff in the periodical room after 5:00 p.m.

2. Post signs to warn patrons of impending evacuation in case the warning is sounded. We will have special signs to place on the circulation desks during these stormy days.

3. If the warning siren is sounded, direct all persons to the lower level near the periodical circulation desk. (The warning siren means a tornado has been spotted in in the area and we should take cover.) Those persons who wish to leave the building are on their own!

4. The upstairs lights should be partially turned off to discourage anyone from entering that area.

© 1987

posted December 13, 2000