Disaster Response and Planning for Libraries

Kahn (library and information science, Kent State U.), a consultant who helps libraries, archives, corporations, and cultural institutions deal with disasters that interrupt services, presents a step-by-step guide for librarians, archivists, and museum curators to preparing for and responding to all types of physical library disasters. She emphasizes the restoration of services to patrons and quick and efficient response, as well as the recovery of physical objects and the importance of backup and remote sites for data and electronic resources (although planning for recovery of computer systems is not covered in depth). She covers each phase of disaster response planning, in addition to procedures for stabilization and basic treatment of some collections once recovery is in progress. This edition takes into account the international nature of disaster response, the use of social networking, the integral role of grief counseling, the importance of mission statements and collection development policies, and prevention and preservation and security of collections during and after the disaster. Annotation Ac2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)