Build a one-page plan that protects people first, then helps your household reduce avoidable damage to books and family records. List local and building hazards, evacuation actions, current contacts, household roles, priority items and where they are, basic supplies, and a practice date. Follow local emergency guidance and responder instructions over any collection-protection steps.
Start with people, hazards, and safe decisions
Library preservation guidance is useful for planning, but it is not a substitute for local hazard information, a household emergency plan, or directions from emergency responders. The Library of Congress says its general recommendations may be superseded by civil-defense or emergency-responder instructions. In its words, “Risk exposure can be reduced, but not eliminated.” Library of Congress, Preservation: Emergency Management – Preparedness.
Write down hazards that apply to your location and building, then note how water, fire, smoke, or a power loss could affect the shelves. Consider practical prevention, such as keeping especially valuable materials away from obvious leaks or floor-level exposure when feasible. These are household planning applications; the cited institutional guidance does not prescribe a particular home layout.
For each relevant hazard, record the household’s safe actions and when to leave. Use current advice from local emergency-management authorities for hazard-specific actions. Do not make saving books or records part of an evacuation decision if doing so could delay leaving or put anyone at risk.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Put contacts and responsibilities on the page
Keep a concise contact list where household members can find it. Include emergency services, household contacts, an insurance contact, and a landlord or building manager when applicable. If the collection warrants expert help, add a conservator or preservation service.
Assign practical responsibilities in advance: who calls, who helps household members follow the evacuation plan, and who can assess the collection after an event once the area is safe. Keep the list current; preparedness guidance from the Library of Congress emphasizes current contacts, responsibilities, basic supplies, continuity planning, and exercises.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Identify the books and records that matter most
Make a short priority list of unique, valuable, or personally irreplaceable books and family records. For each, note its room and shelf location. Photographs may help identify items or document their condition, but an elaborate catalog is not necessary for a household plan. The Library of Congress collection-management guidance discusses risk assessment and inventory control in institutional settings and says its principles can be scaled for personal and family collections; it does not prescribe a home inventory format.
Use the list to guide planning, not to justify entering an unsafe area or delaying an evacuation. Review it when the collection or home changes.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Make the plan usable during an outage
Keep basic emergency supplies ready and make sure household members can access the plan and contacts without power or internet service. The Library of Congress recommends basic supplies and continuity planning, but does not provide a household supply list; use local emergency-management guidance for supplies suited to your hazards and household.
Print the one-page plan or keep an offline copy in a known, accessible place. Tell everyone where it is and how to use it. Include a date for the next review so the contact list and responsibilities do not quietly become outdated.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Practice, review, and update
Walk through a simple scenario with household members: identify the safe action, locate the plan and contacts, and confirm who is responsible for each task. Do not simulate dangerous conditions. The Library of Congress describes emergency management as a cycle spanning incident, response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness, and recommends exercises. Its collection-management practices are primarily institutional, so adapt them to the scale of a home.
Review the plan after a practice, move, renovation, new major collection acquisition, or change in local hazards. This makes preparedness an ongoing activity rather than a document filed away and forgotten.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What to do after books or records are damaged
Do not enter an unsafe area or handle materials that may be contaminated. Once responders say the area is safe, assess what was affected and the type and extent of damage. For wet books and bound volumes, consult the National Archives’ disaster-response and salvage resources or contact a conservator for valuable collections or extensive damage.
Drying or stabilization does not guarantee that a book is restored. The Library of Congress cautions that permanent damage and later conservation treatment may still be necessary. The National Archives page was last reviewed April 23, 2019; check its current instructions and seek expert advice when the damage is significant.
Quick Recap
One-page plan checklist
- Local and building hazards, plus likely ways they could affect the collection.
- Safe household actions and evacuation decision points, based on local guidance.
- Current emergency, household, insurance, and building contacts, as applicable.
- Named household responsibilities for calls, evacuation support, and safe post-event assessment.
- A short priority list with room and shelf locations, and useful photographs if appropriate.
- Basic supplies and an offline way to access the plan and contacts.
- A conservator or preservation-service contact if the collection warrants expert help.
- A practice date and a review trigger for household or hazard changes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
