Improving Recovery for Libraries That Have Been Hit by Disaster

by Peterson, Mark

This study analyzes research into cases where various types of libraries around the world were hit by disaster and were then able to restore services to their patrons, in order to determine the effect of appeals to outside agencies for help on the amount of funding obtained and the time that it took to restore library services.

Of the sixty cases examined, thirty-six had full records that could be examined tracking the fate of library services from catastrophe to recovery. This research shows that all libraries need to consider methods for handling outside help and donations in their disaster planning. Appeals to outside interest groups and international library agencies in brought in additional funds and appear to have shortened the time to the full recovery of services, even for libraries with considerable insurance coverage. Only in cases of wartime destruction is outside help essential for the survival of libraries.