Disaster Management in Libraries and Information Centers Strategy

Disaster Management in Libraries and Information Centers: Strategy & Practices Dr. Harish Chandra Librarian Indian Institute of Technology Madras www. harishchandra. com

WHO Definition Disaster as any occurrence that causes damage, destruction, ecological disruption, loss of human life, human suffering, deterioration of health and health services on a scale sufficient to warrant an extraordinary response from outside the affected community or area.

Paul Eden and Graham Matthews Define a “disaster” as any incident which threatens human safety and/or damages, or threatens to damage, a library’s buildings, collections (or item(s) therein), equipment and systems. Fire (for example, started by arson or an electrical fault) They also indicate that a disaster can have many causes (man-made or natural) including the followings given in next slide

Causes Ø Water (for example, burst pipes or heavy rain leading to flooding) Ø Poor storage and environmental conditions (for example, damp leading to mould growth) Ø Inadequate security leading to break-ins and theft Ø Poorly maintained buildings

Kelman, I. and S. Pooley Natural Disasters Ø Flooding Ø Hurricanes Ø Blizzards Ø Storms Ø Land slides, etc

Kelman, I. and S. Pooley Human Disasters Ø Theft and criminal damage Ø Fire Ø Death/poor health/general sickness Ø Contamination Ø War/conflict/terrorism Ø Workplace violence, etc

Kelman, I. and S. Pooley Technical Disasters Ø Power cuts Ø Break down of computer networks Ø Gas leaks Ø Communication failure Ø Cooling/heating/ventilation system failure, etc

Objectives Ø An effective and efficient response to disaster can be achieved by a good disaster planning strategy Ø To prevent potential disasters Ø To minimize the impact Ø To enhance its capability in preventing, preparing and responding to disasters effectively and efficiently. Ø To generate confidence among stakeholders

Importance of Libraries Ø Enabling forces for learning Ø Libraries Provide an Environment in which creativity is fostered Ø Center for Creation and Recreation of Academic Activities Ø Promotes Dissemination of Research Ø Enables Networking Between Researchers Ø A Bridge to 21 st Century-Bill Clinton Ø Heart of an Academic Institution Ø Repository of Culture & Society

Stakeholders Ø Ø Ø Librarians Archivists Insurance officers Heritage organizations Disaster recovery agencies Books Preservation Expert Fire service officials Security Officials Earthquake Engineering Experts Architects and Interior Designers Electrical and Civil Engineering Experts

Capacity Building Ø Aims and objectives Ø Targeting training Ø Content Ø Methods of delivery Ø Outcomes and evaluation Ø Financial and other resourcing implications Ø Training aids and materials

Practices at IIT Madras We have various UPSs to cater the uninterrupted power supply to various library activities like two 05 KVA UPS in the basement area where we expect water during heavy rain, therefore before entry to UPS Room, we have created raised platform and also inside UPS Room just to doubly ensure that water does not affect the UPS

Fire Alarm System A fire alarm system has been installed in the Central Library on each level so that any type of smoke is detected. It is also stated that designated staff has been identified in the Central Library, Security and Engineering Sections to handle Fire Alarm successfully. Periodically drills are also arranged

Water Bail Out System

Firefighting Water Arrangement

Electronic Security System

Display of Guidlines

Single Switch Control

Other Major Initiatives Ø Stacking Precautions Ø Termite Treatment Ø Display of Guidelines for How to use Fire Extinguishers Ø Training and Awareness Campaign Ø Full scale Mock Drill

Other Major Initiatives Ø Daily Twice Monitoring and Review Ø Connectivity and Interaction Ø Earthquake and Thunder Treatment Ø Special and Wide Staircases Ø Noise and Pollution Check by Expert

Agencies Ø Asian Disaster Reduction Center http: //www. adrc. asia/ Ø Center for Disaster Management (http: //www. cendim. boun. edu. tr/) Ø Corporate Disaster Resource Network http: //www. cdrn. org. in Ø Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U. S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). at http: //www. fema. gov/hazard/chemical/household. shtm Ø India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) http: //www. idrn. gov. in/

Agencies Ø International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (http: //www. unisdr. org/index. php) Ø National Institute of Disaster Management ( http: //www. nidm. net/index. htm) Ø Pacific Disaster Center http: //www. pdc. org/iweb/overview. jsp? subg=1 Ø PCI Ø SAARC Disaster Management Center http: //saarc-sdmc. nic. in/index. asp Ø State Disaster Resource Network (SDRN) http: //203. 77. 202. 117/sdrn/index. htm

Cautions Ø Insurance of Building, Equipments, Collections, Computers Ø Good drainage and flood proofing system Ø Maintenance of building and resources Ø Training and awareness Ø Carrying out risk assessments Ø Regular inspections of buildings and equipments Ø Identifying and using reliable expert advice

Cautions Ø Planning for continuity service and storage Ø Prepare a clear, concise document which outlines preventive and preparatory measures intended to reduce potential risks, and which also provides details of reaction and recovery procedures to be undertaken in the event of a disaster to minimise its effect Ø Periodic review of the disaster control plan. Ø Inter-agency co-ordination and cooperation

Cautions Ø Fire safety measures Ø Avoiding basement in the library building Ø Organisation of periodic mock drils Ø House hold hazardous items which need to be stored/used/cared very professionally. : Ø Installation of single switch control Ø Strengthening coordination & collaboration among various actors

Cautions Ø Transparancey in all areas of development Ø Effective management review Ø Awareness raising and public education Ø Creating necessary infrastructure for DM Ø Upgrading emergency response mechanism

Here is the end of my presentation Let me answer your question if you like Otherwise Thanks a lot Dr. Harish Chandra hchandra@iitm. ac. in