Disaster management in libraries
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435129610112743 |
| Pages | 5-12 |
| Date | 01 May 1996 |
| Published date | 01 May 1996 |
| Author | Paul Eden,Graham Matthews |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
Introduction
This paper is based on the preliminary find-
ings of a one-year project, “Disaster manage-
ment in British Libraries”, being undertaken
by the Department of Information and
Library Studies, Loughborough University,
and funded by the British Library Research
and Development Department. It begins by
outlining how the project is being carried out,
what information has been gathered and the
intended final outcomes. It then discusses
what we mean by the terms “disaster”, “disas-
ter control planning” and “disaster manage-
ment”, underlining the importance of the
disaster control plan in the disaster manage-
ment process. Next, the four stages which are
widely-recognized as essential to this process
are considered. These stages are:
• prevention;
• preparedness;
• reaction; and
• recovery.
Some of our main project findings as they
relate to these four stages are then described.
In addition to references, suggested further
reading and other sources are listed at the end
of the paper.
Methodology and aims
The project began in March 1995. It arose
out of an earlier project, “Preservation poli-
cies and practices in British libraries. A ten-
year review, 1983-1992”, which the authors
carried out with Professor John Feather at the
Department of Information and Library
Studies, Loughborough University in
1993[1]. As the title suggests, this project
looked at a whole range of issues which librar-
ians include under the term “preservation”,
one aspect of which was – and still is – disaster
management. In April we wrote to all of the
486 identifiable public, academic and special
libraries which had responded to the 1993
survey, asking them whether or not they had a
disaster control plan, and, if so, would they
send us a copy.
In all, we have received 62 disaster control
plans. These 62 plans have been analysed
5
Library Management
Volume 17 · Number 3 · 1996 · pp. 5–12
© MCB University Press · ISSN 0143-5124
Disaster management
in libraries
Paul Eden and
Graham Matthews
The authors
Paul Eden is a Research Associate in the Department of
Information and Library Studies, Loughborough University,
Loughborough, UK.
Graham Matthews is a Lecturer in the Department of
Information and Library Studies, Loughborough University,
and is Project Head of Disaster Management in British
Libraries.
Abstract
Presents the preliminary findings of a one-year British
Library Research and Development Department-funded
project looking at disaster management in British libraries.
Based on visits to some 30 organizations within and
outside the library profession and analysis of 62 library
disaster control plans, considers the terms “disaster”,
“disaster control planning” and “disaster management”,
highlighting the central role of the written disaster control
plan. Emphasizes the need for these plans to be managed
and supported by risk assessments and regular inspections
of buildings and equipment, the identification and use of
reliable expert advice, staff training programmes and
contingency planning for temporary services, accommoda-
tion and storage. Underlines the importance of personnel
issues such as the careful selection of those responsible for
disaster management and staff counselling following a
disaster, and also the need to investigate insurance cover
and to consider the installation of fire detection and
suppression systems.
This article is based on a paper given by Paul Eden
to the South Wiltshire Fire Liaison Group’s
National Fire Safety Week Symposium on “Docu-
ment Protection and Recovery”, on 26 September
1995.
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