Public libraries in crisis time: empirigraphy of Iranian public libraries in the 2019 Iran massive flood

Abstract

PurposeOne of the largest floods in Iran happened in Nowruz in 2019, during which torrents of rain, flooding of rivers, landslides and the destruction of dams caused floods and led to financial losses and loss of life in 25 provinces of Iran. During and after the flood, 39 public libraries were closed, three libraries were evacuated and one was completely destroyed.Design/methodology/approachDespite the damage that occurred in the libraries, the preventive measures had been taken by many of them to reduce the whole damage. In addition, after the flood, responsible organizations including Iran Public Libraries Institution, the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults and the Cultural and Art Organization of Municipality and the Mosques and Cultural Center, as well as other relief and social teams, and even people performed activities to reduce the negative impacts caused by the flood.FindingsThis article reviews these activities and their effectiveness. In the end, “the development of a plan for public libraries in natural and social crises” is proposed and the reasons for its necessity are discussed.Originality/valueThis article reviews these activities and their effectiveness. In the end, “the development of a plan for public libraries in natural and social crises” is proposed and the reasons for its necessity are discussed.

A systematic review of crisis management in libraries with emphasis on crisis preparedness

“…Crisis management seeks to reduce the impact of these unpredictable changes and is implemented through crisis detection, prevention and recovery, as well as design plans and procedures for crisis preparedness and implementation (Hazaa et al, 2021). A considerable number of studies on crisis in libraries have demonstrated the importance of crisis management and preparedness (Alajami, 2016; Green and Teper, 2006; Pazooki and Saboori, 2020). Formulating precise definitions is difficult and it is always possible to think of exceptions, but ‘crisis or disaster’ in libraries is defined as any incident which threatens human safety and/or damages or threatens to damage a library’s buildings, collections or items, equipment or systems (Eden and Matthews, 1996).…”

Understanding ways to support teens and parents affected by Russia–Ukraine war

“…Our research focuses on the experiences of war-affected Ukrainians in order to develop recommendations on how information institutions can support them, as well as those affected by other man-made and natural disasters (Ethiopia Humanitarian Crisis, n.d.; Habib, 2022; Imray, 2023; Syria Situation, n.d.). Information institutions are recognized sources of support in the wake of disasters (Bishop and Veil, 2013; Patin, 2020; Pazooki and Saboori, 2021; Prestamo, 2018), and understanding the experiences of people directly affected by disasters is a necessary step in developing appropriate support infrastructure. This paper focuses specifically on the perspectives of Ukrainian parents of adolescents.…”