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Stress @ Work: Lessen It, Then Leave It!
Tuesday, July 23
10:30-11:30 a.m. Eastern
This 60-minute session will help you understand what's really causing the stress - and it's not always what we think. The discussion will provide some simple steps to help you leave your workday at work - particularly if it's been stressful!
Linda Bruno, Instructor
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Trends and Issues in
E-Government Services
Tuesday, August 13
2:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern
Join Pam Thompson to discuss delivery of E-Government services in Florida libraries. The focus for August is on services to senior patrons.
Register for this session. |
Webinar Recordings
Did you miss the E-Government webinar Overview of GCFLearnFree.org on June 26? You can access the recording of this and other Division online meetings and webinars.
And don't forget the recordings of FEL training as well.
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Greetings!
July is the "Stand By" month according to R. Inwards' 1869 Weather Lore. But small businesses in Florida can't afford to just stand by. Hurricanes as well as floods, fires, and other potential hazards pose serious threats to businesses everywhere.
This month's newsletter focuses on some tools and information resources designed to help your small business patrons stay prepared and to ensure the continued health of Florida's economy before and after a storm.
Pam Thompson
850.245.6633
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FloridaDisaster.org 
According to A National Underwriter Website, between 40 and 60 percent of small businesses close forever following a disaster -- but your business patrons can make certain that it doesn't happen to them. Your small business patrons will find resources and tools to help them be prepared and stay open on the business pages of FloridaDisaster.org, the Florida Division of Emergency Management's (FDEM) website.
Topics include business disaster planning, how to help employees prepare, and reporting on business-related damages.
The FDEM plans for and responds to both natural and man-made disasters and serves as Florida's liaison with federal and local agencies on emergencies of all kinds.
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 PrepareMyBusiness.org
The SBA and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provide low interest loans to businesses and individuals to repair or replace real estate, personal property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and business assets that have been damaged or destroyed in a declared disaster. Your patrons can find information on financial assistance to repair or replace business equipment, inventory, and business assets. Relief is also available in the form of economic injury loans, unemployment assistance, and tax relief.
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Disaster Contractors Network
Patrons can search the DCN databases for a contractor, vendor, or other professionals who assist businesses impacted by a disaster. Patrons can also search the databases for resources, such as materials or labor, based on category, keyword, or geographical location.
The DCN is a public/private partnership between the State of Florida, Florida State University (FSU), various Florida homebuilders associations, and the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region IV. This partnership is the nation's first pre- and post-disaster network.
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 Ready.gov
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides your small business patrons with tools to help prepare for the impact of natural hazards like floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Businesses also need to consider technology-related hazards such as failure or malfunction of systems, equipment, or software.
FEMA's Preparedness Planning for Your Business site helps businesses to develop a preparedness program by providing tools to create a plan that addresses the impact of many hazards. This website and its tools utilize an "all hazards approach."
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American Red Cross Resources
Ready Rating is a program that helps your small business patrons, as well as schools and other organizations, become prepared for disasters and other emergencies.
All in one place, Ready Rating members have access to one-of-a-kind tools, resources, and information for evaluating and improving their ability to withstand disaster, maintain operations, and protect lives and property.
Whether your patrons are taking their first steps or already have a fully-functioning emergency management program, Ready Rating can help them achieve a higher level of preparedness.
The Get Started: Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Small Businesses can help your patrons get back in business after a disaster has struck. |
 Minding Your Business
The Florida Business Continuity Initiative's Minding Your Business is real-time interactive forum that focuses on helping businesses make it though a disaster.
The website is unique in that it matches resources to the needs of businesses affected by disasters in real time. The website also provides a wide range of pre- and post-disaster information and resources for your business patrons, including an online business-continuity plan generator developed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
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Big Business -- Small Business
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Apps and Mobile Sites to Help Prepare
These sites can allow your patrons with mobile devices access to Web-based content to help before and after a disaster. They are developed to run on specific mobile platforms, such as iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android, or Blackberry.
The FEMA App contains disaster safety tips, interactive lists for storing emergency kit and emergency meeting location information, and a map with open shelters and open FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs).
The American Red Cross Hurricane App is a tracker that allows patrons to monitor conditions in their area or throughout the storm track, prepare, find help, and let others know they are safe even if the power is out.
Also from the American Red Cross, Shelter Finder provides information on when and where shelters have been opened to provide assistance.
Florida's 511 Traveler Information System is one of the most effective ways to keep informed about roadway conditions during severe weather, evacuations, and emergencies.
Whether patrons access the system by app or by dialing 511, they will get important information regarding affected counties, cities, roadways, and agencies.
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Can You Help?
 Does your library have a disaster plan? How often is it updated? Share your experiences in planning for disasters with other libraries by emailing Pam Thompson at pam.thompson@dos.myflorida.com or calling 850.245.6633. |
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This program is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services. |
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