As we continue into the spring season and summer activities and renovations begin, the ZSR Safety & Security Committee would like to provide an update on our recent efforts and share some important seasonal reminders and resources.

Who Are We

The current iteration of ZSR’s Safety & Security Committee includes: Prentice Armstrong, Rodrigo Castro (Chair), Thomas Dowling, Patrick Ferrell, Will Ritter, Ty Wilson, and Tanya Zanish-Belcher.

We welcome your questions, feedback, and safety concerns. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to any committee member.

Committee Transition: As part of an upcoming change, Tanya Zanish-Belcher will be stepping down from the committee. We sincerely thank her for her thoughtful contributions and dedicated service. We are also pleased to welcome Sam Sfirri, Collections Archivist for Special Collections & Archives, who will be joining the committee in her place.

What We’re Working On

The Committee has been actively engaged in several safety-related initiatives across the Library:

Emergency Procedures Update

We’ve continued refining ZSR’s emergency documentation. Updates include newly revised floor plans, refreshed committee membership, and clarified evacuation responsibilities for Library employees

Offsite Storage Facility Emergency Plan

Ty Wilson is leading the development of an emergency response plan for our Offsite Storage Facility, in collaboration with Public Services and Special Collections & Archives.

Emergency Signage Review

We’re conducting an audit of signage in study rooms and carrels to ensure clarity and consistency. This is an ongoing partnership with Campus Safety.

Annual Safety Walkthrough

The committee recently completed its annual walkthrough of the Library to identify and document safety issues. All concerns have been submitted to Facilities for resolution.

Decoration Guidelines

We’ve created guidelines to ensure that decorating activities completed by the Library Decorating Committee prioritize safety—both for the individuals installing them and for Library users.

Fire Extinguisher Training – Save the Date

We’re partnering with the Office of Environmental Health & Safety to offer Fire Extinguisher Training for ZSR staff. This training will take place on September 3, 2025. More details to come.

Helpful Resources

Wake Safe App Info

  • Be sure to monitor email and Wake Alerts for timely notifications about University closures and delays. The Wake Safe App can be found here.

Seasonal Reminders

As summer projects and construction are underway within the Library, we urge all staff to remain alert and follow posted safety protocols in and around work zones. Your attentiveness helps ensure a safe and smooth environment for staff, students, and visitors.

Thank you for your continued support in keeping ZSR a safe and welcoming place for our community.

— Your ZSR Safety & Security Committee