Library As Safe Haven: Disaster Planning, Response, and Recovery; a How-to-do-it Manual for Librarians

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. Peppered with engaging first-person narratives from librarians recounting emergency situations, Halsted, Clifton, and Wilson cover such topics as:

• An eight-step approach to developing a risk assessment plan
• Information on how to use mobile devices and social media effectively in times of disaster
• Sample disaster plans, along with model exercises, manuals and customizable communications