Download your free 2008 MayDay flier HERE and share with colleagues.

For the second year in Australia, archives, galleries, libraries, museums, cultural heritage sites and organisations are urged to perform at least one disaster-preparedness task during the month of May, as MayDay aims to raise awareness about disaster preparedness.

In 2007, severe flooding on the eastern coast of Australia reminded us of the great risks that natural disasters present to Australian cultural heritage. From the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983 and the Canberra bushfires in 2003, to Cyclone Larry in 2006 and other freak weather events, this geologically stable continent is no stranger to environmental emergencies.

But there are other types of emergency that we must always be mindful of. From the faulty electrical wiring in the building next door to the impact of burst water mains pipes on basement storage areas – these are real and more likely risks for much of Australia’s cultural heritage.

Given human nature, it’s easy to put off disaster planning. In 2008, people in cultural heritage organisations are encouraged to act upon one or more of the suggested activities:

• If you have a disaster plan, dust it off and make sure it’s up to date or make a timeline for developing one.
• Get to know your local firefighters and police, and invite them to tour your organisation and give you pointers  on safety and preparedness.
• Identify the three biggest risks to your collection or heritage site.
• Meet with the people working in the other cultural organisations in your area and find out how you can share resources in the event of a disaster
• New event in 2008: For 2008 Blue Shield Australia has arranged for a series of workshops to be delivered through the Australian Library and Information Association pillar body. Titled ‘Disaster Planning for Cultural Collections’, the workshops will be presented in your city by esteemed Conservator, Mr Kim Morris, between May and September.
• New event in 2008: Participate in activities associated with ‘Business Continuity Awareness Week’ between 28 April and 2 May 2008.

Acknowledging the Society of American Archivists

The MayDay concept originated with the Society of American Archivists (SAA) in 2006. Heritage Preservation (HP) partners with the SAA to promote MayDay and to provide some useful learning resources for American organisations.

The May/June 2007 issue of the SAA newsletter Archival Outlook contained an article titled ‘MayDay Focuses on Emergency Preparedness’ which described some of the activities undertaken by organisations across America for their annual MayDay campaign. The article also welcomed the “land Down Under” to the initiative in 2007. It is the Australian committee for the Blue Shield that promotes the MayDay concept in Australia.