The assessment and anticipation of potential problems from the design, housing, and maintenance of the library and its collections can prevent or minimize disaster damage. The appropriate response to a disaster will help save a library. A review of the essential components of a disaster plan such as prevention, protection, response, recovery, and rehabilitation will be discussed. Also a listing of organizations and resources will be made available. Gretchen Karl, Romaine Ahlstrom Being prepared for large-scale disasters is wise and we can all learn from the rare ones that occur.
Small disasters are much more likely to happen, however, and in some environments seem inevitable.