When Servers Crash: Disaster Planning in the Digital Age VRA Conference 2007, Kansas City Co-Chairs: Heather Seneff, University of Washington and Heather Cleary, Otis College of Art and Design Moderator: Lise Hawkos, Arizona State University Abstract: This session will revisit and update VRA Special Bulletin 7: Disaster Planning for Visual Resources Collections, published in 1994. The experiences of visual resources curators who have been through recent disasters will be examined, focusing on how their disaster plans did or did not facilitate recovery. The session will also address preparing a disaster plan in the digital age; as analog collections depend more on digital media, how can a robust disaster plan prepare for both the analog and digital collection? The participants hope to present a diverse and practical discussion about disaster planning. Meghan Dougherty, Visual Resources Collection, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Washington

1. Strategies for Disaster
Planning
Response and Recovery
Planning in the UW CAUP VRC
M. Dougherty & H. Seneff
VRA Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO March 27-April 1, 2007

2. RESPONSE RECOVERY

3. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety
critical staff contact list
entering and leaving a disaster area

4. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety
critical staff contact list
entering and leaving a disaster area
Assessment & Action
identify high priority items
assess damage
facilitate cooperative management

5. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety
critical staff contact list
entering and leaving a disaster area
Assessment & Action
identify high priority items
assess damage
facilitate cooperative management

6. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety Goals
critical staff contact list collection and home institution
entering and leaving a disaster area
Assessment & Action
identify high priority items
assess damage
facilitate cooperative management

7. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety Goals
critical staff contact list collection and home institution
entering and leaving a disaster area
Resources
mobile administration
Assessment & Action
identify high priority items
assess damage
facilitate cooperative management

8. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety Goals
critical staff contact list collection and home institution
entering and leaving a disaster area
Resources
mobile administration
Return to Work
temporary duties
Assessment & Action
identify high priority items
assess damage
facilitate cooperative management

9. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety Goals
critical staff contact list collection and home institution
entering and leaving a disaster area
Resources
mobile administration
Return to Work
temporary duties
Assessment & Action
identify high priority items Alternate Sites
assess damage administration
facilitate cooperative management
digital resources
physical collection

10. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety Goals
critical staff contact list collection and home institution
entering and leaving a disaster area
Resources
mobile administration
Return to Work
temporary duties
Assessment & Action
identify high priority items Alternate Sites
assess damage administration
facilitate cooperative management digital resources
physical collection
Third-party Storage

11. RESPONSE RECOVERY
Personal Safety Goals
critical staff contact list collection and home institution
entering and leaving a disaster area
Resources
mobile administration
Return to Work
temporary duties
Assessment & Action
identify high priority items Alternate Sites
assess damage administration
facilitate cooperative management digital resources
physical collection
Third-party Storage

12. Disaster Planning in the UW CAUP VRC

14. Reduce risk
“Funds spent prior to an emergency to
mitigate damage are funds well spent. Every
dollar spent in preparation and mitigation can
save seven dollars in recovery” (Flynn, 2007;
Yeoman, 2006).
Flynn, Stephen, 2007. The Edge of Disaster: Rebuilding a Resilient Nation.
Random House: New York, NY.
Yeoman, Brian, 2006. Houston Disaster Recovery. Paper presented at the
University of Washington Business Continuity Symposium,
November 6 in Seattle, WA.

29. Provide resources
During and after an emergency, staff may
need materials in the short term for basic
survival; they will need clear instructions on
what to do, and they will need redundant
communication channels in different media
formats.

47. Strategies for Disaster
Planning
Response and Recovery
Planning in the UW CAUP VRC
M. Dougherty & H. Seneff
VRA Annual Conference, Kansas City, MO, March 27-April 1, 2007