Abstract
A 1996 UNESCO study has revealed the number of libraries and archives destroyed during the twentieth century, contributing to the loss of our memory. Wars and disasters have always threatened our documentary heritage. Although many disasters are unavoidable, in most cases they can be mitigated through assessment of risks, preventive measures and a good disaster plan. Disaster planning has been a prominent issue in the preservation literature and hundreds of books or guidelines have already been published, mainly in English. Confronted with this wealth of information most librarians, with reduced financial and staff resources, feel helpless and do not know where to start. Key issues and indispensable preventive measures are described as well as the necessary steps and decisions to be taken when the disaster strikes and after. The role of directors of institutions, designation of a staff member responsible for the disaster plan, creation of lists of emergency teams, provisions for buying emergency equipment, training of staff, survey of the building, establishment of priorities, copying of most important documents and insurance are the main points that have to be taken into consideration. Following its survey on disaster planning in national libraries, IFLA/PAC has decided to write a trilingual – English, French, Spanish – basic manual to meet the needs of libraries in developing countries, especially those where English is not the working language. Seminars organized by IFLA/PAC within the framework of the Blue Shield, should help to raise awareness of the threats to documentary heritage and mitigate the consequences of disasters.
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