The Importance of Disaster Planning for the Small Public Library

SUMMARY Most articles about disaster planning in libraries focus on large institutions such as major academic, national, and public libraries. There has not been much focus on the importance of disaster planning for smaller public libraries. This article aims to help fill in the gap using a combination of case studies, data from the 2005 Illinois Statewide Preservation Needs Assessment, and existing disaster planning documentation. Education and training, awareness of resources, and creating a disaster plan are the points stressed as the most important factors a small library can change to affect the safety of its staff, building, and collection.