Developing a risk assessment mapping tool for safeguard and research buildings: a case study of the Special Collections Division at UFMG’s Central Library

ABSTRACT When planning and taking actions to protect collections, managers of safeguard and research institutions are periodically confronted with the need choose and establish priorities. This implies, among other aspects, a systemic and interdependent knowledge and understanding of the characteristics and dynamics of the building. This study developed a risk assessment mapping tool for library buildings, which proved to be feasible in a real context. As a simple and low cost applicable instrument, the tool responds to the reality of Brazilian safeguard and research institutions, especially the public ones.