Burning Books: The Work of DOCUMENT SOS

Points out that the highest rate of library arson in the world is in the UK. Aims to heighten awareness of the risk and to dispel myths and misinformation given in manuals and videos by non‐professionals in the field of disaster reinstatement. Suggests that, though disaster planning and preparedness are critical, effort is often concentrated on irrelevant issues. Draws on the experience of DOCUMENT SOS, the only company in the world which specializes in library disasters. The organization′s Library Disaster Centre Database collates information from libraries which have experienced disaster, which can then be used to guide further operations. Suggests that an average fire‐damaged library stock of 30,000 books can be reinstated in six weeks, that damaged books should never be moved and that freeze/vacuum drying is only required for water‐damaged antiquarian or irreplaceable books.