Published in conjunction with a recent symposium on disaster preparedness for information managers, March 7-8, 1985 this handbook is intended to heighten awareness about and to assist archives, libraries and record centers in disaster contingency planning. It discusses methods of preventing disasters and, should one occur, ways of containing and minimizing it through advance planning. It outlines action to be taken when disaster strikes, salvage operations, the rehabilitation of salvaged materials, fumigation and sterilization, and the completion of the recovery operation. Extensive appendices list human resources, suppliers of emergency facilities, services, and materials, etc. (Abstractor's note: This is the first handbook specifically intended for the Canadian situation).