Library Disaster Preparedness & Response

Libraries have always played a special role in times of disaster by continuing to provide information services. The Stafford Act of 2011 designates libraries as among the temporary facilities delivering essential services, so the federal government directive for a Continuity of Operations Plan for all its agencies is a planning imperative for libraries.

This how-to helps librarians prepare for hurricanes, computer hackers, earthquakes, explosions, fires, floods, terrorist attacks, and other events too awesome to contemplate. The companion CD-ROM is full of tools you can use, including: sample disaster plans, a downloadable and customizable template for creating your own disaster plan, links to disaster planning Web sites, a comprehensive directory of electronic resources and planning aids, and a disaster planning database with links to national agencies.

Those responsible for preservation activities, whether project-based or ongoing, often find themselves devoting considerable energy to the "how"-as they prepare budget requests for new activities, evaluate and report on existing operations, and work to improve efficiency and quality in production processes. In order to determine the most appropriate methods for accomplishing a particular task, one needs to understand the work in detail, be able to break it down into its component parts, and enumerate and quantify the resources required. For this reason, those responsible for managing preservation need to know how to analyze work processes and their associated costs.

Provides a tool kit for librarians and serves as an essential resource for medium to large libraries. It offers readers practical approaches on preparing for a disaster by creating a plan, responding to an emergency, and the intricacies of recovering from a disaster. A comprehensive appendix that includes an extensive bibliography, glossary, model disaster preparedness plan, a model RFP for selecting a disaster recovery vendor, as well as useful Internet sites and print resources.

Provides information on disaster and emergency response planning and management to assist librarians in the creation and updates of emergency response plans. This book is suitable for community college, college, and university libraries as well as a pedagogical tool for library and information schools.

Most library disaster plans focus on collection and facilities disasters, such as fire and floods. But because technology is becoming ever more integral to libraries' role in their communities, any interruption in service and resources is a serious matter. This compendium leads readers through a step-by-step process of creating a library technology disaster response and recovery plan.

Libraries need to be open and inviting, yet safe for patrons, staff, and collections. How can you ensure your library is both accessible and secure? Security planning, part of disaster response and continuous operations planning, is the key to proactively addressing potential safety issues.

Fire, water, mold, construction problems, power-outages mishaps like these can not only bring library services to a grinding halt, but can also destroy collections and even endanger employees. Preparing for the unexpected is the foundation of a library's best response. Expert Kahn comes to the rescue with this timely update of the step-by-step, how-to guide for preparing and responding to all types of library disasters.

Preservation and disaster expert Kahn brings clear guidance and practical expertise to address libraries' worst cases before they happen. Providing both short- and long-term planning and preservation tips, Kahn provides critical pre-emptive advice to help you.

In this book, two experts show optimal collection preservation techniques, what it takes to set up a conservation work area, and safe ways to mount a small exhibit. Illustrated, step-by-step instructions to repair and conserve books and documents are also included.

When disaster strikes, school librarians can play a key role in keeping kids safe. This is the only book written specifically to provide school librarians with emergency preparedness and recovery tools as well as curricular tie-ins.