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Disaster Management of Print Collections in Academic Libraries of Assam: A study

Anjan Gohain Tariang, B. L.

Abstract


The main objective of this study was to find out the disaster management of print collections in academic libraries of Assam. In this connection, the study tried to investigate staff awareness about  disaster and the availability and role of a disaster management plan, the challenges faced by the library professionals and their preparedness for various disasters threatening their respective libraries. For this study, the researchers used the survey method, with a Google form of questionnaire as the chief tool of data collection. The study is limited to few college and university libraries in Assam. Findings revealed that most of the library staff members of academic libraries in Assam are well aware about the potential disasters that may happen in their libraries. It was also found that except for top level library professionals of college and university libraries (25.58%) other staff members such as supporting library staff are not well aware about the role and importance of disaster management plan which serves as a guide in an emergency situation. Findings also revealed that most of the academic libraries are not well equipped to fight flood and fire disasters, though Assam is vulnerable to both floods and fires. Non availability of a formal disaster management plan is a common problem in all the academic libraries under study. Lack of  a model to serve as a guide and lack of trained library staff to plan and implement a disaster management plan are the key factors that affect disaster management in many academic libraries in Assam.


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References


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