Disaster Preparedness in Libraries: a review

Abstract

Purpose–The paper aims to explore and analyze the literature pertaining to “disasters preparedness and libraries”, in order to highlight the overall preparedness in libraries against the disasters.
Methodology–Works related to “Disaster Preparedness in Libraries” were thoroughly examined using various online databases, search engines, websites etc. Numerous search terms like “disasters and libraries”, “disaster preparedness and libraries”, “disaster management and libraries” etc were used to retrieve the desired literature. The retrieved information was analyzed to highlight the level of preparedness in libraries against the disasters.
Findings–The Literature review connotes that although innumerable resources have been lost by libraries all over the world due to disasters and enough has been written over the importance of having a disaster preparedness plan in libraries, yet most of them have ignored the importance of such a plan and are practically unprepared to face any disaster.
Practical Implications–The scrutinized literature clearly reflects that although significant literature pertaining to disaster preparedness in libraries has been published all over the globe, yet most of the institutions including libraries fall way behind when it comes to the practical implementations of such preparedness plans. The paper paves the way for organizations like libraries (both at national and international level) to take concrete steps in order to ensure they are prepared enough to face and tolerate a disaster.
Paper Type: Literature review