The Power-Outage Proof Library: Why Every Collection Needs a Physical Heart

 I previously wrote about small libraries needing a hard copy of their collection's data, but in the era of power outages due to soaring gas prices, I am advocating again for the presence of such a hard copy. It seems to be the only way a library can survive the energy scarcity in the world. 

If you’ve ever worked a shift in a library when the internet goes down or the software glitches, you know that feeling of being "blind." You can’t tell what books just arrived, you can’t look up where a DVD should be, and you certainly can’t track which books need fixing.

While computers are great, they aren’t invincible. That’s why a physical Accession Log Book is the most important "Plan B" a library team can have.

Here's the Library Accession Log Book (affiliate link) I developed for librarians to easily jot down data of each and every resource in their collection:

What is an Accession Log?

Think of this book as the Permanent Physical Diary of a library. Before a book or a map ever gets its barcode or hits the shelf, it gets written down here. It’s a simple, step-by-step way to record everything the library owns—from the newest bestseller to that globe in the corner.

Why this helps librarians and the library in general:

• The Ultimate Backup: If the power goes out or the computer system crashes, you don’t have to stop working. You have a handwritten record of every item.

• A "Health Check" for Books: This log includes a space to note the condition of your materials. Is the spine breaking? Does the CD have scratches? You can track what needs "surgery" (mending) and what needs to be replaced.

• Easy Training Tool: For new volunteers, learning a complex computer system is hard. Hand-recording books is a great way to learn how library data works without the fear of "breaking the software."

• Organized & Ready: Each page helps you gather the right details so that when it is time to type them into the computer or make a catalog card, you have all the info sitting right in front of you.

Safe, Secure, and Always On

Technological "glitches" shouldn't stop us from serving our community. By spending a few minutes logging items manually, you are helping your library stay organized, professional, and prepared for anything—even a total blackout.

Get this library tool using my affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4tw1HGr