Group activity: creating a canopy.
Martin Naputi salvages film.
(JKPL) — To better protect our museums, libraries, and community spaces from the damaging effects of disasters and other emergencies, the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library partnered with the University of Hawai’i Center for Pacific Island Studies, the UH-Manoa Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program, the Northern Marianas Library Association, the Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services to facilitate a two-day free hands-on workshop on “Assisting Museums, Libraries, and Community Spaces in Disaster Preparedness and Response.”
JKPL hosted the event at the workshop in the main library from June 21 to June 22, 2023.
The workshop was facilitated by paper conservator Liane Naauao, who introduced disaster management strategies and activities such as risk management, emergency planning, and response.
About 20 participants attended the workshop on disaster preparedness.
Library Director Erlinda Naputi shared, “ I would like to thank the University of Hawai’i Center for Pacific Island Studies, the East-West Center, the UH-Manoa Museum Studies Graduate Certificate Program, Pacific Islands Museums Association, my cohort from the Weaving a Network of Care: Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Museum Institute in Hawaii for partnering with the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library in hosting the first ever Disaster Preparedness Training for Libraries, Museums, and Community Spaces in the CNMI. Si Yu’us and Mahalo to Noelle Kahanu, Eric Chang, Karen Kosasa, and paper conservator Liane Naauao for sponsoring this valuable training opportunity for our island community. Thank you to my amazing team Joeten-Kiyu Public Library for preparing, planning, and coordinating these efforts together. You can never be too ready for a disaster. Thank you for providing this excellent opportunity! Welcome to Saipan!”
Welcoming remarks
The workshop was held in the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library’s McRel Room from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop began with welcoming remarks from Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi, followed by a Hawaiian chant from Noelle Kahanu from the Public Humanities & Native Hawaiian Programs from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa.
The Director of Museum Studies Graduate Studies Program Karen Kosasa then proceeded to introduce Paper Conservator Liane Naauao.
Introductions were made by participants from the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Northern Marianas Humanities Council, Roman Catholic Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Guam Cultural Repository, University of Guam, Guam Museum, UH Manoa’s East-West Center, Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development, etc. who shared their background, experience with disasters.
Participants shared their experience growing up with climate change, typhoons, flooding, and fire.
Instructor Liane Naauao then proceeded to share an “Introduction to Emergency Preparedness.” She also shared a Pocket Response Plan prepared by the Council of State Archivists. The Pocket Response Plan is a paper-based document that contains a response checklist for emergency in an archives or records facility and would contain all emergency contact information should the need arise.
That day the team conducted an on-site risk assessment activity inside/outside the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library. The team surveyed the entire library completing a risk assessment worksheet adapted from the National Park Service Museum Handbook, Risk Assessment Worksheet 10.2 (2000).
Day 2
On Day 2, Participants continued to learn the following: emergency planning; disaster supplies and safety measures with an on-site walk-through of the disaster kit; hands-on salvage activity; and shared best practices and lessons learned.
Instructor Leane shared personal salvaging experience from a devastating flash flood, which overflowed the banks of Mānoa Stream on Oct. 30, 2004.
Flooding caused an estimated $80 million of damage to 32 buildings on University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus.
The flood rushed through the UH Manoa campus directly hitting the Hamilton Library.
According to University of Hawai’i News, “Hundreds of thousands of historical maps, aerial photographs and government documents along with numerous computers and servers were damaged or destroyed after water, up to eight feet deep, flooded the library’s ground floor. The floodwaters broke through walls, toppled bookshelves and overturned furniture.”
Because of the onsite activity at the JKPL, all participants were able to salvage maps, video cassette tapes, compact disks, floppy disks, magazines, photographs, paperback books, hardcover books, casings, and film.
They learned valuable salvaging techniques to preserve and protect precious historical and cultural information from being destroyed.
The team learned how to salvage water-damaged family valuables and heirlooms from FEMA fact sheet. They accessed an ideal “Disaster Preparedness Kit,” which contained emergency supplies dedicated to responding to an emergency or disaster that affects collections.
The portable kit could be stored in a mobile container for easier transport to a disaster site. The contents of the kit would be flexible and open to being modified to fit the needs of the organization and the community served
Another group exercise included Canopy Making 101. Participants worked together in groups of 4 to construct canopies to respond to roof leakage. They learned how to make clove hitch knots and tautline hitch knots. Then hoisted up plastic sheeting supported by cotton strings secured to coins and tied onto the McRel Room ceiling.
What participants have said about the “Assisting Museums, Libraries, and Community Spaces in Disaster Preparedness and Response” Workshop at the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library:
• “[I enjoyed] the hands-on training with salvage and canopy; learning different methods of salvage; good idea exchange; and good lunch choice! Some things might not be directly applicable to my institution, but can also be applied in the community. Thank you Erlinda and your employees at Joeten-Kiyu Public Library!” – Hoku Ka ‘aha ‘aina
• “[I enjoyed] the activities and sharing stories. Also very informative.” – Nicole Duenas
• “More training and workshops for professional development! [I enjoyed] getting to learn about Disaster Emergency Preparedness regarding collections of books, documents, multimedia. How to carefully clean and handle and handle collection materials.” – Ray Jr. Deleon Guerrero
• “I visit the library everyday. Today was special because of the special training we received. Thank you Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.” –Omar Manacop
• “Thank you to the great team of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, our partners from Hawaii, and all the participants! Thank you, everyone, who worked so hard to bring this workshop here to Saipan. We learned about the importance of libraries; sharing indigenous knowledge of care; balancing Western approaches; and learning about disaster response and planning. I enjoyed all the hands-on salvaging activities. I managed to rescue photographs, video cassette tapes, compact disks, hard and soft cover books, magazines, etc. We made an amazing canopy to prevent water damage to our collections. We learned so much from one another, and we are looking forward to sharing what we learned with our community!” – Beth B. Demapan
• [I enjoyed] the knowledgeable, empowered staff!” – Roberto Santos
• “[I enjoyed] the networking with each other. The two-day workshop and hands-on activities were helpful. Having Liane’s wealth of knowledge and answering questions. Mahalo Saipan. Very useful information in caring for collections.” – Pamela Alconcal
• “[I enjoyed] the friendliness of the staff. Keep up the great work! Your team members are so amazing, so are the teams joining us outside the establishment of Joeten-Kiyu Public Library!” – Tarisi V
• “I learned a lot from this workshop. Thank you so much for this initiative. God bless!” – Rommell Buenaflor
• “This library is amazing! Welcoming to all, with so many wonderful spaces and resources. One of my favorite libraries worldwide! Excellent organization. Wonderful hosting. I learned so much and will share this knowledge when I return home.” – Eric Chang
• “[I enjoyed] everything! This is a very informational workshop. Please have more! I love Joeten-Kiyu Public Library.” – Leoralynn Terlaje
• “[I enjoyed] everything! Your staff are amazing. I love this library! Your teamwork and positivity are inspiring!” – Liane Naauao
• “The activity was fun and important to for the future.” – Gerard Borja
• “[I enjoyed] the Disaster Preparedness Workshop, the hands-on activity, and discussions. Thank you for hosting the workshop!” – Karen Kosasa
• “[I enjoyed] seeing all the resources the library has!” – Noelle Kahanu
• “I enjoyed] learning about the Disaster Recovery to save what you can of library books and other materials. Basically, salvaging water-damaged valuables and heirlooms. Very well needed training on salvaging library items/materials.” – Silverio Balisalisa
• “I enjoyed the water salvage activity that we did earlier today and the canopy activity. Great workshop!” – Caitlyn Crisostomo
Sponsors
Thank you to community partners and sponsors: Commonwealth Library Council, Historic Preservation Office, NMI Museum of History and Culture, and Pacific Islands Association of Libraries, Archives, and Museums, Friends of the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, the Northern Marianas Library Association, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
For more information, visit www.cnmilib.org, like/follow JKPL’s Facebook page @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, Instagram @joetenkiyupubliclibrary, TikTok @jkpl670, Twitter @JoetenKiyu, You Tube channel or call (670) 235-7322/7318.
Paper Conservator Liane Naauao leads a group activity on salvaging collections.
Participants construct a canopy.
Participants learn disaster planning in the McRel Room.
Participants salvage items outside JKPL.
Workshop participants pose for a photo during a welcoming dinner at JKPL.
