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
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 Disasters
Flooding
Hurricanes
Blizzards
Storms
Land slides, etc
Kelman, I. and S. Pooley
Human Disasters
Theft and criminal damage
Fire
Death/poor health/general sickness
Contamination
War/conflict/terrorism
Workplace violence, etc
Kelman, I. and S. Pooley
Technical Disasters
Power cuts
Break down of computer networks
Gas leaks
Communication failure
Cooling/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
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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 objectives
Targeting training
Content
Methods of delivery
Outcomes and evaluation
Financial and other resourcing implications
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
Stacking Precautions
Termite Treatment
Display of Guidelines for How to use Fire
Extinguishers
Training and Awareness Campaign
Full scale Mock Drill
Other Major Initiatives
Daily Twice Monitoring and Review
Connectivity and Interaction
Earthquake and Thunder Treatment
Special and Wide Staircases
Noise 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 measures
Avoiding basement in the library building
Organisation of periodic mock drils
House hold hazardous items which need
to be stored/used/cared very
professionally.:
Installation of single switch control
Strengthening coordination & collaboration
among various actors
Cautions
Transparancey in all areas of development
Effective management review
Awareness raising and public education
Creating necessary infrastructure for DM
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