Disaster Planning for Special Libraries

Disaster Planning and Security for Corporate Libraries is for those corporate librarians or corporate library staff members who are charged with the responsibility of developing security and disaster plans for their libraries. Having read the book, corporate librarians and other information professionals will be able either to enhance their current disaster and security plans, or to commence the development of new plans. The book serves as a reference resource and guide, not only for people who have never considered the disaster planning process, but also for experienced planners. The first four chapters examine the wide variety of settings that corporate libraries occupy, from urban office towers, office blocks and malls to smaller buildings in suburban and rural locations. It considers the special circumstances of libraries in hospitals, law firms, manufacturing plants, and government departments, and discuss how corporate-wide security and disaster plans address-or fail to address-the risks in corporate libraries. Including a step-by-step process for assessing risks to corporate libraries, and ways to mitigate those risks. The book then summarize the planning phases related to preparedness for and response to security breaches, emergencies and disasters. The next eight chapters cover the business resumption process for corporate libraries, including: the implications of declaring a disaster, the best ways to assess damage to corporate library facilities and assets, the need for strategic alliances with different kinds of suppliers, opportunities for alliances with other libraries, and the normalization of library operations. The book then discusses the necessary post-disaster public relations that corporate libraries should organize and maintain after negative events, covering orientation and training programs for corporate library employees, and demonstrating how such programs can be adapted to meet the needs of libraries in various settings, with different risk profiles. -Presents critical information in an accessible way -Offers different approaches to a broad range of security and disaster planning topics in corporate libraries -Considers a variety of physical settings for corporate libraries, including office towers, malls, and basements, and the risks prevailing in these settings for staff and library assets