Disaster Planning for Special Libraries: (Chandos Information Professional Series)

Disaster Planning for Special Libraries contains a guide for developing and maintaining disaster plans for small special libraries and related work units. This volume serves as a reference resource, not only for people who have never considered the disaster planning process, but also for experienced planners interested in a variety of approaches to different aspects of planning. The author discusses the role of the special librarian in the planning process and considers the relationship between special libraries and their host organizations. He emphasizes the importance of coordinating a special library’s plan with any in place for its host organization, and encourages librarians to demonstrate their planning skills for organization-wide benefits. Early chapters summarize the initial phases of the planning process, which include preparedness and response measures. Subsequent chapters cover the assessment of damage to special library facilities and assets, the implications of declaring a disaster, the development of strategic alliances with key suppliers, orientation and training, succession planning, operational resumption, the normalization of library operations, and auditing a disaster plan. The concluding chapter discusses concerns that special librarians might have with regard to the future and its risks. Appendices include examples of a risk assessment and analysis and a risk mitigation program, a strike and protest plan, an emergency equipment inspection and audit report, a pandemic management program, and disaster response manager’s kit.

Table of Contents:
1. A disaster planner for your library 2. First challenges 3. Assessing risks to your library 4. Preparedness and risk mitigation 5. Emergency and disaster response 6. Assessing the damage 7. Event recognition, disaster declaration, and crisis management 8. Strategic alliances: Internal and external partners 9. Operational resumption, succession planning, and postdisaster workspace 10. Postdisaster concerns of library personnel 11. Normalization 12. Orientation and training 13. Auditing your disaster plan 14. Future concerns for special librarians: a personal view Appendix 1: Risk assessment and analysis: the Library and Records Centre of a Financial Services and Investments firm in Vancouver, British Columbia Appendix 2: Law firm library: risk mitigation program Appendix 3: Western Petroleum Research Institute Library Appendix 4: Emergency equipment inspection and audit report Appendix 5: Corporate library pandemic management program Appendix 6: Disaster response manager’s kit

About the Author :
Based in Vancouver, Canada, Guy Robertson is a senior instructor at Langara College, where he teaches library history, reference and readers’ advisory services, and records management. He is also an instructor in information security and risk management at the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He works as a consultant to organizations across North America, and has provided advice and services to libraries, archives, records centers, and museums in Europe and Asia. Mr. Robertson is noted for his research into book and manuscript theft, data loss and protection, and financial fraud and forgery. He has delivered keynote speeches, seminars, and workshops at conferences not only for librarians and archivists, but also for other professional and technical groups.

Review :
"COVID-19, something that left many library personnel having to think on their feet and be creative, receives attention in the areas it impacted. Initially it is discussed in the area of job security, and income consistency, then, as per its listing in the contents page index: ‘Appendix 5: corporate library pandemic management program’. Appendix 5 provides a very interesting and timely discussion on how so many libraries (and many other businesses I imagine) were caught short by the pandemic – and notes this was the case even during the flu pandemic a hundred years ago. While management plans have considered many of the issues common to their location, e.g. floods or earthquakes, and have adjusted with time to include increasingly possible terrorist attacks or computer hacking, the concept of a world-wide pandemic seems to have been too unimaginable to even be considered. What is extremely useful here is the presentation of the NSICL (Norfolk Square Investments Corporate Library) developed Pandemic Management Program. If for no other reason, purchasing this book will give you this well put-together, thorough, and organised plan that could easily be adapted to the unique needs of any library. Over several pages, the check-lists, explanations, and recommendations for Pandemic Preparation are succinct, accessible and something you’ll probably find yourself using as a base for your own newly identified policy/procedure needs!" --Journal of the Austrailian Library and Information Associated