Task Force Funding Panel
Meeting, ALA Headquarters
Monday, December 4, 2006, 2-4pm
Present:
Emily Sheketoff, ALA, Chair
Michael Dowling, ALA
Steve Shwartzman, IMLS
Tony Tighe, NEA
Diane Vogt-O’Connor, Library of Congress
Larry Reger, Heritage Preservation
Mary Rogers, Heritage Preservation
Summary of tasks and assignments
Assignments from 10/30/2006 conference call, 11/17/2006 and 12/4/2006
updates:
 Contact The Foundation Center to discuss possibilities of cooperating on
disaster funding database.
o Assigned to Diane Vogt-O’Connor (who had suggested and volunteered
for this task at first panel meeting on October 6, 2006).
o UPDATE 11/17: Diane has made contact with someone at The
Foundation Center and was advised to speak with director Sara
Engelhardt. It was decided that all panelists should look at The
Foundation Center’s board list to determine if we have a contact there
to speak with about the panel’s idea. Diane will be writing a précis that
can be presented to the center. See board list at
http://foundationcenter.org/about/board.html
o UPDATE 12/4: Diane has prepared an approach statement and will
contact The Foundation Center to set up a local meeting. Emily
Sheketoff will discuss the project with Foundation Center staff. First
priorities for disaster funding guides will be libraries, museums,
archives, and historical societies; second priorities will be historic
preservation and performing arts.
 Outline regulations and steps to take in applying for assistance from FEMA
and SBA. Update current materials to focus on cultural institutions.
o Assigned to Alan Aiches, Becky Brantley, and Larry Reger.
o UPDATE 11/17: A draft web-page of this information has been created
at www.heritagepreservation.org/fema . Information about SBA
guidelines will be clarified by Becky and the page will be further edited
by Heritage Preservation staff and refined by panelists. When the draft
page is approved by panelists it will be circulated to other Task Force
members for comment. The information on the page and application
forms will also be formatted as a kit for distribution by mail.
o UPDATE 12/4: Panelists should view the pages at
www.heritagepreservation.org/fema and send comments to
taskforce@heritagepreservation.org . More research needs to be
carried out to determine procedures for governmental units applying
for aid. Does FEMA have a list of predetermined governmental
contacts for those applying?
 Describe to institutions (and administrators) how to be prepared to apply for
assistance after a disaster. Include real-life examples of how being prepared
has helped institutions get money and recover more quickly.


o Assigned to Alan Aiches, Becky Brantley, and Larry Reger in
conjunction with outlining regulations.
o UPDATE 11/17: www.heritagepreservation.org/fema will contain this
information.
o UPDATE 12/4: Preparedness panel (#1) is meeting Friday, December
8, 2006. An update of that panel’s activities will be given to this panel
for review to see if their initiatives might cover this need.
Prepare a prospectus (with case studies) that lays out the need for
stabilization funds that are immediately available to cultural institutions after
a disaster. A one-page outline will be prepared first so that panel members
can begin looking for case studies.
o Draft outline of prospectus assigned to Heritage Preservation.
o UPDATE 11/17: A case statement was presented to the panel for
comment. Panelists will identify case studies that will further detail the
need and usefulness of a stabilization fund. Case studies will highlight
collections damaged or lost for lack of funding.
o Steve Shwartzman, Tony Tighe, and a representative from NEH will be
sources for examples of both funding needs and case studies of
institutions helped by stabilization funds.
o UPDATE 12/4: Several case studies have been found, including
flooding at Hanford Mills Museum (2006) and flooding in Roseau
County, Minnesota (2002). Michael Dowling, Steve Shwartzman, and
Tony Tighe will search for appropriate examples (demonstrate the
NEED for funding, only from Presidentially-declared disasters for now)
and send information to mrogers@heritagepreservation.org . Case
studies cited include the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Biblical
Arts Center in Dallas. Other issues raised: where would this fund
reside? Possibility of Gates/Getty starting fund and allowing other
foundations to contribute.
All panel members assigned to think about additional members/resources for
the panel from among Task Force members and institutions that have
experienced disasters.
o UPDATE 11/17: Michael Dowling of ALA will be contacted and asked to
join the next panel meeting via teleconference. He will also be a
resource for library case studies.
o UPDATE 12/4: Conley Edwards (CoSA) will be contacted by Heritage
Preservation. Emily will contact someone at AAM. Steve will contact Jim
Mackay, Acting Director of Historic Alexandria.
New ideas (11/17)
 Emanating from RAP board meeting: institutional profile form that can be held
ready in a secure location and then can be used when applying for funding.
Involve state agencies as keepers of the information.
UPDATE 12/4: Where could stabilization fund reside? LSTA will need to be
reauthorized within next 2 years.
Next meeting
To be determined