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The Upper Corner

Historical Collection Task Force

NN/LM-NER announces the formation of the Historical Collections Task Force. The Historical Collections Task Force will develop a plan for identifying the region's historical and unique collections held by member libraries, medical societies, related associations, and other entities throughout the region.

The task force will advise and implement methods in order identify and compile information about the region's historical collections. The implementation will require the cooperation and assistance of member libraries in the region as well as outreach to non-member libraries, associations, and medical societies in New England.

The Historical Collections Task Force will consider:

• Criteria for including specific collections in a directory or similar work
• Creation of record format describing the collection
• Enlisting institutions to assist in identifying collections
• Develop recommendations for the method of documenting and making available a catalog
• Identifying and recommending regional resources that assist collections in preservation and archiving across various technologies

NER's Regional Advisory Council helped to identify issues related to the formation of the Historical Collections Task Force. NER invites members to participate! The work of the task force is expected to last 18 months. The task force will convene in-person at least once each year. Meeting format and frequency is subject to the task force members and the development of a work plan.

Interested individuals should contact Javier Crespo about participating on the task force.

Emergency Preparedness Task Force

NN/LM-NER announces the formation of the Emergency Preparedness Task Force. The Emergency Preparedness Task Force will assist in the development and implementation of regional and local plans in response to emergencies and disasters.

Disasters may include natural disasters (such as floods, hurricanes, snow) or other emergencies (such as bioterrorism). The task force will explore current working models of emergency preparedness and define the scope of planning and preparedness member libraries should undertake.

Issues concerning the Emergency Preparedness Task Force are:

• Preparedness to support responders in emergencies and disasters affecting the community
• Preparedness to support libraries affected by emergencies or disasters
• A hierarchy or chain of libraries and resource centers that operate in emergency situations as backups to affected libraries
• Identifying anticipated needs across a variety of emergencies: Disease outbreaks, natural disasters, fire, environmental emergencies, etc.
• Coordinating emergency responses with state and local authorities to provide information support
• Reviewing resources and existing plans that address the library's response in emergency settings

NER's Regional Advisory Council helped identify issues related to the development of a Regional Plan. NER invites members to participate! The work is expected to last 18 months to two years. The task force will convene in-person at least once each year with virtual meetings conducted throughout the year. An initial meeting would take place in January.

Interested individuals should contact Javier Crespo about participating on the task force.

Javier Crespo, Associate Director