Assesses the state of disaster management in archives, libraries and museums in the UK and around the world. This book reviews basic framework of effective disaster management and disaster control plan. It is suitable for students of library and information and museum management.

Contents: Preface; The research project and disaster management: introduction; Disaster management and archives, libraries and museums: context; The situation in the United Kingdom: overview; The worldwide situation: overview; The disaster control plan; Findings: key themes; Planning for the future; Sources of information; Index.

'Disaster management, in an increasingly complex world, is an essential part of library and information work. This volume builds on the work of a research project that reviewed practice in archives, libraries and museums and relevant other fields. It presents the findings in a way that enables the reader to determine its relevance to them and their organisation and helps guide them in planning strategically in protecting assets of importance whether of historic or commercial value. It is a must have reference tool for those developing plans in this area.' Alan Brine, De Montfort University, UK '...the volume provides excellent data, frameworks, and conclusions that are practical and valuable to anyone actively involved in disaster management. The chapters on disaster plans and the bibliographies have broad application to librarians, archivists, and museum professionals participating in the process of creating and revising disaster plans.' Journal of Archival Organization, Vol 8 No 1, 2010 'One of the strengths of this book is in exploring the many dimensions of the subject and presenting them in an organized way.' Architectural Science Review, September 2010 'This is an excellent snapshot view of the state of disaster management in the United Kingdom. Matthews, Smith, and Knowles offer the professions an opportunity to take these research findings and craft working disaster management policies applicable across boundaries, within localities, and as best practices to emulate. This book belongs in the working collections of archives, libraries, and museums.' Library Collections, Acquisitions and Technical Services, 2009 'This work is an important addition to the literature of disaster planning in the cultural domains... I commend the work to anyone with a strategic or operational responsibility for disaster planning in a cultural institution. Aside from the valuable research presented, it is also a very good read.' New Library World Vol 111 No 9-10, 2010