LibGuides: Records Management Branch: Disaster Response and Recovery

Response and Recovery Methods for Physical Records

Salvage at a Glance 3/1/2013
This guide lists salvage methods for items - documents, photographs, books, media - that are wet. Items that remain wet for more than 48 hours are at risk of developing mold. The document outlines instructions for handling, priorities for freezing, whether or not it is safe to freeze, and drying methods.

Contracting Records Recovery Services
In the aftermath of a major disaster event such as a flood or a fire, many records can be impacted. Outside recovery vendors may be needed. This National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) page contains guidance on locating vendors and working with vendors. Records custodians SHOULD verify that records to be recovered are PERMANENT records or are valuable enough to merit the expense of recovery before contracting vendors to recover items.

Council of State Archivists: Four Stages of Emergency Preparedness
This Council of State Archivists (COSA) pages outlines four stages of emergency preparedness - Risk, Readiness, Response, and Recovery. Records custodians should recognize that Identifying Essential Records is one step in preparing for an emergency. As resources permit, other steps will reduce the scope of an emergency and prepare staff to respond and recover.
Council of State Archivists: Risk and Readiness
This Council of State Archivists (COSA) page briefly describes steps to start to analyze risks and foster readiness.

Council of State Archivists: Pocket Response Plan PReP Template
This Council of State Archivists (COSA) template provides a concise method of recording contact information for dozens of stakeholders and contractors one may need to reach in the hours after an emergency event. The opposite side lists straightforward steps to take in responding to an event impacting records or collections. THIS IS A GREAT FIRST STEP TO TAKE IN PREPARING TO RESPOND TO A DISASTER.