Findings from a March 1980 Systems and Procedures Exchange Center (SPEC) survey on preservation indicated that more than one-fourth of the members of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) had written disaster plans, and many other plans were in preparation. This SPEC kit on preparing for emergencies and disasters comprises excerpts from committee reports, manuals, plans, and case histories; and includes documents on" (1) disaster preparedness, (Cornell University, Yale University, Stanford University, and University of Rochester); (2) protecting people and property, (Northwestern University, John Crerar Library, Cornell University, and University of Houston); (3) salvaging library materials, (New York Public Library, McMaster University, University of California-Riverside, and the National Library of Medicine); and (4) three case studies: "The Memorial Day Steam Cleaning" (Northwestern University), "Report on the July 11, 1976 Flood" (Cornell University), and an excerpt from "The Stanford-Lockheed Meyer Library Flood Report" (Stanford University). The concise summary that introduces the kit covers steps involved in preparing a plan and cites several published resources available to guide those responsible for the development of plans or salvage efforts. (THC)