Disaster Management In University Libraries Of Assam: An Important Aspect

Abstract

Disaster can disturb the regular services of a library. Different kinds of disaster affect the libraries in several ways. Libraries have to be well prepared for different types of disasters like natural disaster, accidental failures, criminal damages etc. This study has been undertaken to investigate the disaster preparedness in the university libraries. The present study is done using a survey, through a welldesigned questionnaire. Personal observation, interactions with librarians through telephone was made. Both primary and secondary data has been collected. The result of the study reveals that majority of the university libraries have disaster preparedness such as written disaster plans, emergency exits, fire alarms, emergency power supply, prohibiting activities such as smoking, data backup, earthquake proof building etc. But some of the libraries under the study also indicated that they are less prepared to handle a situation coming out of the disasters. The study will help the LIS professionals to know about different disaster preparedness used in university libraries of Assam.