The author's first action after finding out that her school's library was on fire was to call the Buildings and Grounds people: somebody had to know what was going on. She was assured that several fire companies were on the scene, and that there was no reason for her to come down there. Those first few hours were her introduction to the world of disaster recovery, and how she could have planned ahead to lessen some of the impact of the fire on the library, her life, and the lives of the staff. She has learned that disasters can strike anytime, anywhere, but being prepared can make the recovery process much easier. While no one can prevent disasters, people can prepare in case one happens. Recovering from any library disaster takes time, effort, and a lot of humor. Remember to take care of one's self and to communicate with the community, and to reach out to one's friends often. Learn from others who have also been through a disaster.