Disaster Response and Planning for Libraries

With their vast, often irreplaceable holdings of books and journals, audio and video tapes, CD-ROMS and computers, libraries are particularly vulnerable to disasters of all types. Whether, fire, flood, tornado or earthquake, disasters can not only damage equipment and bring services to a grinding halt, they can also destroy collections built over scores of years. Librarians simply cannot afford to be caught off guard. "Disaster Response and Planning for Libraries" helps libraries survive, revive and thrive following a disaster. In outlining a customized disaster response plan that assists in quick recoveries, this straightforward resource also provides strategies to minimize damage and protect resources before trouble strikes. This book describes the four key phases in disaster preparedness: response, recovery, prevention and planning. Detailed case studies demonstrate how different libraries have recovered from a variety of disasters.