How to lose (and recover) a personal research library

Yesterday I heard the story of a personal tragedy we can all learn something from.

A researcher attending a meeting in Kyoto recently lost a 7000 volume personal home library of research literature.

Her house went up in flames because the dust around a power cord connection ignited.

Now she is rebuilding the library electronically, with the help of friends.

I didn't hear if she had a catalogue or index of what she lost. At least I have an index if my own library at work has a similar fate. That will help a lot if I ever need to rebuild the library.

Today I'm planning to do some floor cleaning at home. We have too many books and newspapers and other incendiary materials (including rabbit fur from our pet).

Life can never be completely safe, but losing everything because of some dust (or a rabbit) is certainly a preventable danger.