Abstract
Disaster management in libraries is essential for protecting both physical and digital collections, ensuring the continuity of services, and safeguarding the safety of staff and patrons. Libraries face a variety of potential threats, including natural disasters (floods, fires, earthquakes), technological failures, human-caused incidents (vandalism, theft), and biological hazards (mold, pests). Effective disaster management involves preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation strategies. This includes assessing risks, developing disaster management plans, training staff, and implementing protective measures for collections. Additionally, libraries must have procedures in place for emergency evacuations, securing valuable materials, and restoring damaged collections. Post-disaster recovery focuses on restoring both physical and digital resources, often requiring specialized conservation efforts. With advances in technology, libraries increasingly use tools like IoT sensors and cloud-based backups to monitor and safeguard their collections. By creating robust disaster management frameworks, libraries can minimize damage, ensure the safety of their resources, and continue to serve their communities in the face of unexpected crises. Effective disaster management not only involves response to immediate threats but also builds resilience for future challenges.
Keywords: Disaster management, Library collections, Risk assessment, Emergency preparedness, Recovery strategies, Technological tools
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