Level of disaster management preparedness by library staff in academic libraries: The experience of Academic libraries in South Eastern State, Nigeria.

Pauline Iroeze
Pauline Chinasa Iroeze Dr., Federal University of Technology Owerri

Document Type Article

Abstract

Academic libraries in South-eastern Nigeria are still not prepared for disaster. This study sets out to assess the current status of preparedness in disaster management among academic libraries in the South east geopolitical zone of Nigeria. To obtain a base level of knowledge on disaster preparedness of current practices, a questionnaire was distributed to 380 librarians at 5 academic libraries, 356 responses were received and after sorting 337 were found to be usable. The study revolved around the current status of preparedness, on various issues including major threats that could possibly cause disaster, existence of disaster preparedness plan among academic libraries in south east, disaster preparedness measures, and availability of emergency response team (ERT). Frequency and percentage tables were used in the analysis of the data collected. Flood and fire were identified as major threats to disaster in most academic libraries in South east. Most of the academic libraries do not have a written disaster preparedness plan. Disaster preparedness measures and staff involvement in disaster preparedness by these libraries were found to be generally inadequate. It was recommended that academic libraries in south east should make available written disaster preparedness plan to the librarians, disaster preparedness measures like mounting of water sprinklers, break glass alarm, smoke detectors etc should be mounted, and also the library staff should be involved in the disaster management of the library.