Book CPR

October 28, 2014 — Pedestrians outside Lamont Library were appalled earlier this month to see books and papers sodden on their shelves, once-orderly stacks unfurling into a warped disaster zone. But a cheerful sign relieved tension and judgment — it was all part of the Library’s Emergency Response & Recovery Workshop, which trains library staff to save collections from the worst in the case of water-based damage from leaks or sprinkler systems.

Hosted by Preservation Services, experts gave demonstrations, lectures and lessons reinforced by hands-on practice over two days; over 48 Harvard Library staffers participated.