Disaster Planning. Realities of Response and Recovery (Panel Discussion)

Disasters rarely unfold exactly as planned for, and even the most thorough preparation can be tested in unexpected ways. This 90-minute panel discussion brings together librarians from a variety of settings to share candid stories from the front lines of disaster response and recovery. 

Panelists will discuss what happened in the immediate aftermath, how decisions were made under pressure, and the ways staff, leadership, and community partners worked together to restore services. Instead of focusing solely on best practices, this conversation will highlight the real-world challenges, tough decisions, and surprising moments of innovation that emerged in the wake of natural disasters, weather events, and other crises. 

Attendees will gain practical insights and takeaways they can adapt to their own settings to help prepare for the unexpected, respond effectively, and recover with resilience.

Panelists:

Kathy Davies, MLS is the Director of the Robert B. Greenblatt MD Library at Augusta University in Georgia. She is responsible for coordinating library services for an academic medical center and collaborating with the University Libraries leadership team to support clinical care, faculty research, and student learning. Kathy serves as the primary liaison for the Medical College of Georgia which has campus sites across the state to enhance medical education pathways for students. At Augusta University, her focus has been integrating library services into the broader academic mission. Kathy has contributed to the design and implementation of embedded librarian programs, medical education assessment tools, and interdisciplinary teaching initiatives. Her scholarship includes publications on library integration in medical curricula, development of data-driven resources for student learning, and collaborations for clinical research.

Kate Flewelling, MLIS, AHIP, is the Director of Library Services on the Boston University Medical Campus, where she provides leadership and strategic planning to support the educational, clinical, research and administrative needs of the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Division of Graduate Medical Sciences, Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and School of Public Health. A Distinguished member of the Academy of Health Professionals, Kate currently serves and Treasurer and Board Member of the Medical Library Association. From 2011 to 2021, she served multiple roles, including Executive Director, at the Network of the National Library of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region, based at the University of Pittsburgh.

Keith Pickett, MLIS, is the Associate Dean for Health Sciences and Director of the Matas Library of the Health Sciences at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA. In this role, he fosters collaboration, innovation, and a positive work environment—positioning the Health Sciences Library as a premier destination for research and learning, and anchoring Tulane University Libraries’ initiatives in the health sciences. Keith serves as a senior liaison to the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and the Tulane National Primate Research Center, ensuring seamless collaboration and alignment with the strategic goals of Tulane University Libraries. Prior to joining Tulane, he was a staff member at the LSU Health New Orleans Library, where he contributed to recovery and restoration efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Jeffrey Slagell MLIS, is Library Director at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) in Little Rock, AR where he oversees the Library and Historical Research Center.  Prior to his role at UAMS, he acted as Dean of Library Services at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS.  He has served as American Library Association Councilor, President of the Mississippi Library Association, NASIG Executive Board member, and on the University Press of Mississippi Board of Directors.  He has also served on multiple consortium steering committees. 

By registering for this class, you are agreeing to the NNLM Code of Conduct