GPO and Community Support for Federal Depository Libraries Facing Disasters

GPO stands ready to assist Federal depository libraries that face disasters, both natural and man-made.  

If your library is faced with a disaster, when safe to do so, please inform your regional depository and GPO’s Federal Depository Support Services (FDSS) via askGPO or by phone at (202) 512-1119 to let us know if your library is closed. Please remember that the FDLP is a network of supportive libraries ready to help supplement services for your local population when your library is dealing with a disaster and unable to offer regular services. Further, GPO staff will be happy to consult with you about assessing the damage to your collection. 

Simple steps taken when responding to a disaster can significantly improve the recovery of library materials and hasten the resumption of services. To provide our libraries with guidance on what to do if a disaster strikes, we offer the following information: 

What To Do If Your Library Has Unplanned Access Restrictions 

What To Do If Your Library Has a Flood or Water Disaster 

What To Do If Your Library Books Have Mold 

Preparing for the Unthinkable, Planning for the Inevitable: Disaster Prevention, Response, and Recovery for Libraries (54 minutes, recorded 2023) 

Little Things to Do for Big Storms: Simple Collection Preparation for Tornadoes and Hurricanes (71 minutes, recorded 2020) 

Disasters Happen! Prepare During National Preparedness Month (55 minutes, recorded 2018) 

Floods, Humidity, and Mold in Libraries (59 minutes, recorded 2022) 

Triple Disaster: Lessons learned from Hurricane Maria, the Southern Puerto Rico Earthquakes of 2020 and COVID-19 (60 minutes, recorded 2021) 

If you identify depository publications to replace, you can post them as “Needs” in the FDLP eXchange and indicate they are “for disaster recovery.”

Libraries in affected areas serve vital roles in disaster recovery for their local population. Unaffected libraries also contribute by amassing resources and offering services that are needed elsewhere. GPO thanks the FDLP community for the continued support offered to those in need, now and throughout the recovery period.