Every year most libraries encounter some type of emergency, usually the result of water from cprinkler systems, leaking pipes, fire hoses, or heavy rain. The severity of these emergencies and recovery from them depend on prevention strategies and emergency preparedness plans that have been developed and implemented by the library staff. In this chapter, basic information is provided to help any library establish strategies to avoid preventable damage and develop emergency preparedness plans to cope with the unpreventable in the worst-case scenario; it is also applicable on a smaller basis for minor emergencies.