In order to better protect collections stored in archives, libraries and museums in the event of such damage, comprehensive emergency preparedness is required. For this reason, the Rhineland-Palatinate State Conservation Office (LBE) has compiled an "LBE emergency kit", which has been made available to the Idar-Oberstein municipal archive, among others.
The emergency kit contains three boxes and a cardboard box with basic equipment for the initial treatment of books and documents affected by water damage. The items contained in the box are used to secure the site of the damage, for the self-protection of the first responders, for the correct packaging of soaked documents and for the documentation of the recovered objects. The head of the Idar-Oberstein city archive, Dr. Svenja Müller, tested the handling of these materials and what to do in an emergency during a practical exercise on salvage and first aid in Koblenz as part of a training course lasting several days. The LBE supported the participants during this training course and beyond in drawing up an emergency plan tailored to the individual institution. Among other things, this plan sets out procedures and the necessary information. The emergency plan and the emergency kit enable the city archive to take immediate action in the event of an emergency and to begin with the salvage and initial care of the archive materials. This can prevent consequential damage such as mold growth and the loss of valuable documents.
Background:
Written cultural heritage is an important part of cultural memory and thus creates meaning and identity for society. The original is what counts above all. Although digitization also contributes to the protection of written cultural heritage, it cannot replace the original. This is why the Rhineland-Palatinate State Library Center (LBZ) has had the Rhineland-Palatinate Preservation Office since 2018. Its tasks include advising individual institutions, organizing training courses and raising public awareness of the topic of preservation.