Through proper planning and exercising, libraries have the potential to become more resilient when facing potential threats.
Emergencies/disasters can be either natural or man-made resulting in severe or minimal impact. Therefore, taking an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness will help mitigate and reduce impact of these events. In addition to ensuring a state of readiness for the organization, having a well-established emergency preparedness program can ease anxieties and feelings of uncertainty for staff and patrons. If the staff is properly trained on how to respond during times of emergency they will respond appropriately and be better prepared both at work and at home. Patrons visiting the libraries will be in better hands if the staff is knowledgeable of the organization’s emergency procedures.
In this presentation, I will emphasize the importance of developing an emergency preparedness program and available resources, illustrate how to identify potential risks, and how to assess their impacts. I will also discuss various plans such as emergency operation plans and continuity of operations. We will also look at mitigation strategies to reduce future impacts and strengthen security.
Presenter: Brian Kendall, Community Resources Coordinator, Arkansas River Valley Regional Library System.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- April 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Computers in Libraries 2026 Highlights & Trends
- May 6 – The 2026 Public Library Accreditation Process
- May 13 – Play, Explore, Learn: Building Early Literacy Through Station-Based Programs
- May 20 – Engaging New Voices in Advocacy: Youth, Trustees, and Everyday Patrons
- May 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- June 3 – Libraries and Friends of the Library: How to Stay Friends
- June 10 – Law for Librarians
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
