![\"REALM](\"https:\/\/blog.oclc.org\/next\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/REALM_project_banner.jpg\")
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As the REALM project<\/a> (REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums) continues to gather and adapt science-based information to inform local decision making by libraries, archives, and museums, it\u2019s been essential to listen to the real-world experiences at these institutions. These perspectives ensure that the information is relevant to the operations and services of the field. In a collection of nine interviews<\/a>, leaders of libraries, museums, and member associations describe how they leveraged their institutions\u2019 core strengths and drew upon trusted partners to navigate the crisis, helping to protect the health and well-being of staff and community members. These interviews help identify common ground among institutions in their response to a global crisis and spotlight opportunities for local partnerships between different types of cultural heritage institutions that can strengthen resources and local impact.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In one interview we spoke with the safety, health, and security manager at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), Grant Vondracheck, who walked us through their efforts to keep staff and visitors safe and programs accessible to community members. A highly collaborative Reopening Task Force worked together to create a COVID-19 response plan, a hefty and ever-evolving document that captures state and local guidelines and resources, communication and signage templates, and operational procedures. OMSI also has an emergency response team that has undergone training, tabletop exercises, and real-time response during the rolex replica<\/a> past two years. Grant says, \u201cI do think that additional training and having that team ready to go at all times is very valuable and I think that\u2019s helped us with COVID, even though we\u2014like everyone else\u2014were blindsided by COVID.\u201d<\/p>\nPlan, document, communicate; repeat as necessary<\/h2>\n