Library fires
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Library fires have happened regularly through the centuries, from the desruction of the Library of Alexandria to the Duchess Anna Amalia Library. Causes vary from arson to the Sun's rays setting fire to leaflets through the action of a magnifing lense in a library in Northam, Devon.
In earlier times mold was considered a major problem in a lot of libraries and so the emphasis on library design was to increase air flow by, for example, leaving openings under the shelves in adjoining floors. In a fire the flames will be drawn floor to floor by the air flow thus ensuring the relatively easy destruction of a whole library rather than a small section.
Advances in technology have reduced the possibility of a library collection being destroyed by fire. These include water sprinklers, fire doors, freezers and alarms. Older libraries are usually converted, closing up air flow openings and installing fire doors, alarms and sprinklers. Air conditioning reduces the mold problems. These are all essential parts of new library design.
There is no recovery possible if a book is burnt so it is accepted that a better solution is to put out the fire with water and then dry out the books. As mold destroys paper the books are frozen until they can be dried. This process will damage the book but not destroy it and the information will be intact.
In order to minimise the possibility of damage from fire, or other causes, and decrease the time needed for recovery after a destructive event all libraries need a disaster management and recovery plan. This can be an ongoing process which will include professional development following updates in technology for key staff, training for the remaining staff, checking and maintaining disaster kits, and review of the disaster plan.
[edit] List of library fires
- Academy of Sciences Library (Leningrad, USSR) - 14 April 1988
- Library of Alexandria (Alexandria) - 48 BC, 3rd century, 391, 642 (all disputed)
- British Library (London, England UK) - World War II
- Cotton Library (Huntingdon, England UK) - 23 October 1731
- Duchess Anna Amalia Library (Weimar, Germany) - 2 September 2004
- Iraq National Library (Baghdad, Iraq) - 15 April 2003
- Library of Congress (Washington, D.C. USA) - 25 August 1814
- Los Angeles Central Library (Los Angeles, California USA) - 29 April and 3 September 1986
- New York State Library (Albany, New York USA) - 29 March 1911
- Norwich Central Library (Norwich, England UK) - 31 October 1994
- University of Virginia Library (Charlottesville, Virginia USA) - 27 October 1895
