This Forum will feature presentations and discussion panels by local and national leaders in disaster preparedness and emergency response for cultural heritage collections and sites.

Floods, fires, and other disasters can harm or destroy irreplaceable cultural and historic collections, but organizations that safeguard art, objects, books, and historic buildings can prepare for emergencies and minimize damage. The Alliance for Response (AFR) initiative brings cultural heritage and emergency management professionals together at the place where virtually all initial disaster response occurs – the local level. 

 AFR fosters the protection of heritage resources by:

• encouraging institutions to complete disaster plans and train for emergencies;
• creating cooperative disaster assistance networks among museums, libraries, archives, and historical properties and sites;
• raising awareness of the importance of cultural heritage in communities;
• influencing official emergency policies and plans.

More information about Alliance for Response is available at:

https://www.culturalheritage.org/resources/emergencies/alliance-for-response

Registration is required (scroll to the bottom to register).

Parking validation will be available for attendees who park in the Senate Avenue parking garage directly across from the library and bring their ticket in for validation.

Send questions to Valinda Carroll at vcarroll1@library.in.gov. 

The Indiana State Library will make all reasonable modifications to policies and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. If you require an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in this program, service or activity of the Indiana State Library, please contact Diana Doore at 317-232-6276 or DDoore@library.IN.gov. Notice of a needed accommodation should be provided as soon as possible to allow time for the State Library to arrange for the accommodation; however, notice of a needed accommodation must be provided to one of the above contacts no later than 48 hours in advance.