UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
LIBRARY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
LPP: 92:02
May 1, 1992

SUBJECT: POWER FAILURE POLICY*

POLICY:
During a University power failure, the University Libraries will maintain all services which can
function safely and reasonably. If it is necessary to close the Hesburgh Library, certain units, or
branches during an outage---they will be reopened if they are three or more posted service hours
remaining but are more than three building hours remaining for Hesburgh Library, the building
will be opened.

PROCEDURES:
Monday-Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
When the power goes off during daytime hours (M-F), staff are asked to post appropriate signs
and remain or have a representative remain near the phone. Staff working in areas with adequate
lighting should shift to a pre-identified set of duties. Staff in unlit areas should use their flash
lights to help patrons exit. CANDLES ARE NOT TO BE USED IN THE LIBRARY.

The Building Supervisor for Hesburgh will contact the power plant and will inform the Director
of Libraries of any time estimates or predictions. Using the organizational structure, the Library
Administration will notify the units. Branch library supervisors should notify 221 promptly in
order to determine if the outage is restricted to their own branch location.

The Library Administration will keep departments posted concerning the status of the power
outage. Supervisors should assign staff to duties which are not dependent on electricity. A
supervisor who has staff who cannot do any of their work due to the outage should notify the line
administrator--who will either suggest a temporary project or authorize the staff member to leave
campus. Any who is released from work during a power outage remains in a "stand by status"
and must give his/her supervisor an "on-call" phone number where they can be reached should the
power return.

Nights and Weekends:
When power outages extend into the evening hours or occur on nights or weekends, staff should
post appropriate signs, have a representative remain near a phone, and use available flashlights to
help any stranded patrons--particularly checking for any disabled patrons who are known to be in
the building.

In Hesburgh Library, the monitor staff will contact the Power Plant for information on the outage
and will notify the Building Supervisor and the Director of Libraries. If the power outage is after
sunset and lasts more than 30 minutes, the Director or his/her designee will authorize closing for
security reasons.

In Branch libraries, the student worker should use the nearest phone in a lighted area to contact
the Hesburgh Library monitor to determine if the outage is widespread and should then call the
Branch Library Department Head or the Library Specialist. A Branch Librarian has the authority
to close his/her Branch during night or weekend emergencies so that a student worker is not alone
in a dark building. The Branch student will notify the monitor station and Reference if his/her
branch alone is closing. Reference will notify the other Branches and Hesburgh service areas.
The Branch Department Head should notify the Assistant Director for User Services on the nest
working day.

Once there is a decision to close, the monitors and Branch student workers will close their
buildings/libraries according to the following procedures.

The monitor will notify security of the closing/s -- including Branch closings.

Terminals will be left on.

Lights will be turned off if the emergency lighting provides adequate lighting for this task.

The monitors and branch student workers will post signs on outer doors of their libraries stating
"CLOSED DUE TO POWER OUTAGE".

Individuals may call Safewalk to escort them from their buildings.

Except for the monitors, staff will be dismissed from the work site, but asked to register their
name and "on-call" phone number at the monitor station so they can be reached if the power is
restored. These staff will remain on-call at these locations until it is three hours before the
scheduled closing for their unit. The monitors will remain at the nearest available phone until a
decision is made to close the building.

If there are three or more posted service hours remaining when power is restored, the monitors
will check with the Power Plant to determine the extent of the power restoration. They will then
notify the registered "on-call" staff to return to their positions. If there are less than three posted
service hours remaining but are more than three building hours remaining for Hesburgh Library,
the building will be opened.

Staff and students who are sent home during power emergencies are in an " on call" status and
will be paid their full compensation whether or not they are asked to return to work the rest of
their shift. Should a staff member not be reachable when listed as "on-call" he or she will not be
compensated.

If the power outage is connected with a weather emergency, the weather emergency
procedures have priority.

Approved at April 8,1992 LAM Meeting
INDEX : Library Policies and Procedures, Power Failure