Here we present a checklist of items to consider for maintaining business continuity during institutional closures, specifically when circumstances do not allow some or all staff to be on site. This page was created as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in closures of collections across the globe.
Various emergencies, including acts of nature, accidents, technological emergencies, and military or terrorist attack-related incidents, have increased the need for viable continuity of operations capabilities and plans that enable institutions to continue their essential functions across a spectrum of emergencies. Institutions may suffer damage or roadways may be inaccessible due to man-made incidents or natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or wildfires. In addition, public health emergencies may require staff to stay home to prevent or contain outbreaks. We have learned many lessons from events over the last twenty years, including terrorist attacks on September 11th, large-scale blackouts, and the COVID-19 pandemic. For related topics, see Emergency Management, Disaster Planning, Risk Assessment, and Reopening Collections.