Disaster Management in Libraries and Information Centers:

Strategy & Practices

Dr. Harish ChandraLibrarian

Indian Institute of Technology Madraswww.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

Water (for example, burst pipes or heavy rain leading to flooding)

Poor storage and environmental conditions (for example, damp leading to mould growth)

Inadequate security leading to break-ins and theft

Poorly maintained buildings

Kelman, I. and S. Pooley

Natural DisastersFloodingHurricanesBlizzardsStormsLand slides, etc

Kelman, I. and S. Pooley

Human DisastersTheft and criminal damage FireDeath/poor health/general sicknessContaminationWar/conflict/terrorismWorkplace violence, etc

Kelman, I. and S. Pooley

Technical DisastersPower cutsBreak down of computer networksGas leaksCommunication failureCooling/heating/ventilation system

failure, etc

Objectives

An effective and efficient response to disaster can be achieved by a good disaster planning strategy

To prevent potential disasters To minimize the impact To enhance its capability in preventing,

preparing and responding to disasters effectively and efficiently.

To generate confidence among stakeholders

Importance of Libraries

Enabling forces for learning Libraries Provide an Environment in which

creativity is fostered Center for Creation and Recreation of Academic

Activities Promotes Dissemination of Research Enables Networking Between Researchers A Bridge to 21st Century-Bill Clinton Heart of an Academic Institution Repository of Culture & Society

Stakeholders

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

Aims and objectivesTargeting trainingContentMethods of deliveryOutcomes and evaluationFinancial and other resourcing implicationsTraining 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

Stacking PrecautionsTermite TreatmentDisplay of Guidelines for How to use Fire

ExtinguishersTraining and Awareness CampaignFull scale Mock Drill

Other Major Initiatives

Daily Twice Monitoring and ReviewConnectivity and InteractionEarthquake and Thunder TreatmentSpecial and Wide StaircasesNoise and Pollution Check by Expert

Agencies

Asian Disaster Reduction Center http://www.adrc.asia/ Center for Disaster Management (

http://www.cendim.boun.edu.tr/) Corporate Disaster Resource Network

http://www.cdrn.org.in 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

India Disaster Resource Network (IDRN) http://www.idrn.gov.in/

Agencies

International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (http://www.unisdr.org/index.php)

National Institute of Disaster Management ( http://www.nidm.net/index.htm)

Pacific Disaster Center http://www.pdc.org/iweb/overview.jsp?subg=1

PCI SAARC Disaster Management Center

http://saarc-sdmc.nic.in/index.asp State Disaster Resource Network (SDRN)

http://203.77.202.117/sdrn/index.htm

Cautions

Insurance of Building, Equipments, Collections, Computers

Good drainage and flood proofing system Maintenance of building and resources Training and awareness Carrying out risk assessments Regular inspections of buildings and equipments Identifying and using reliable expert advice

Cautions

Planning for continuity service and storage 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

Periodic review of the disaster control plan. Inter-agency co-ordination and cooperation

Cautions

Fire safety measuresAvoiding basement in the library buildingOrganisation of periodic mock drilsHouse hold hazardous items which need

to be stored/used/cared very professionally.:

Installation of single switch controlStrengthening coordination & collaboration

among various actors

Cautions

Transparancey in all areas of developmentEffective management reviewAwareness raising and public educationCreating necessary infrastructure for DMUpgrading 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