This document outlines the procedures for library staff during tornado watches and warnings in Sedgwick County. It details assigning duties, notifying other areas of the library, playing warning announcements, directing patrons to designated safe areas in the basement, assisting those who need help, and monitoring for the all-clear notification. The map shows the safest areas in the library basement for sheltering during a tornado.

2.  1. Access Services Manager or Circ Supervisor
 Normally a full-time staff member will assign
duties if a tornado watch/warning is issued.
 2. Circ/Reserve Graduate Assistant
 If full-time staff members are working when a
tornado watch/warning is issued, a graduate
assistant will assign duties.

3.  No action is necessary if:
 A tornado or thunderstorm watch/warning is
issued for a county OTHER THAN Sedgwick
County.
 A severe thunderstorm watch/warning is issued
for Sedgwick County.

4.  If aTORNADOWATCH is issued for Sedgwick
County…
 Load theTornadoWarning CD (but don’t play it yet!).
 Tell employees in Circ, Reserve, & Reference/Help Desk
that there is a tornado watch. Give everyone a duty
card and a flashlight. Make sure everyone knows what
to do.
 If the Chemistry and Music Libraries are open, call them
to let them know there is a tornado watch.
 Shut off the alarm for the wooden doors so that staff
from the MRC, Dean’s Office, andTech Services can get
to the basement.

5.  If aTORNADOWARNING is issued for
SedgwickCounty…
 Play theTornadoWarning CD.
 Send other employees to walk assigned areas.
 Put signs up on the front doors.
 Ask patrons to leave 24-Hour Study Room.
▪ After everyone leaves, lock the door and put up
a sign.
▪ Leave other entrance doors unlocked!

6.  If there is time, lock up money and laptops.
 ONE person will stay on the 1st Floor to direct
people to go to the basement.
 Everyone else goes to the basement.You will be
needed for crowd control.

7.  If you are assigned to the first floor:
 If weather becomes bad/tornado is imminent, take shelter
in the Circ workroom.
 Anyone who comes in must go to the basement.
 Listen to the weather radio and check the weather online.
 Stay in contact with other library employees in the
basement.
 When the tornado warning is lifted:
 Play the All-Clear CD.
 Unlock the 24-Hour Study Room.
 Take down tornado warning signs.
 Collect duty cards and flashlights.

8.  Follow instructions given to you by the person in
charge.
 During a tornado watch…
 You will be given a card and a flashlight.
 The card will have a list of areas for you to walk through.
 When a tornado warning is issued…
 Walk your assigned areas as quickly as possible; tell
anyone you encounter to go to the basement.
 Help anyone with physical disabilities to the restrooms.
DO NOT use the elevators.
 Tell groups in study rooms – they may not have heard the
TornadoWarning CD.

9.  When you finish walking your assigned area:
 Report to the person in charge.
 If anyone in your assigned area was physically
unable to use the stairs, tell the person in charge.
 Go to the basement.
 Keep patrons away from the glassed-in area near
Special Collections.

10. The map below shows where to direct library
patrons.
 Areas with a GREEN circle or arrow are the safest
areas.
 Aisles with a green arrow are safe, but don’t take shelter
between the bookshelves, as they could be knocked over
during a tornado.
 The area marked in RED is not safe during a
tornado. Patrons should be kept away from the
windows due to the risk of breaking glass.

12.  Once you’re in the basement, use the remote
to change theTV channel to 3, 10, or 12 (local
news stations).
 We cannot force people to stay in the tornado
shelter. However, anyone who does not want
to stay in the basement must leave the
building.
 The person upstairs will notify you when the
all-clear notification has been issued.