When the Tsunami Struck Sri Lanka

Abstract

PurposeTo describe some first‐hand experiences of the tsunami and earthquakes which hit the region of Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand at the end of 2004.Design/methodology/approachA personal reflection shared by a librarian gives special meaning to first‐hand experiences and how libraries as well as people are faring.FindingsCommunication around the globe was frantic as it became clear that this was a huge catastrophe with great human loss.Originality/valueThis report is of interest to all those interested in how the environment can affect humanity.

Disaster management approaches for academic libraries: an issue not to be neglected in Greece

“…Apart from extensive disasters, e.g. floods (Kaur, 2009), earthquakes (Shaheen, 2008), tsunamis (Warnasuriya, 2005), fires, wars, civil disorders (Johnson, 2005), libraries also face smaller incidents, such as burst heating pipes, leaking pipes, rain penetration (Gerlach, 2005), small fires, theft, vandalism, paper decay, insect raids, mould (Weaver-Meyers et al, 1998), etc. Indeed, disaster risk could be viewed as the product of the frequency and the severity of a certain unwanted event.…”

When the Nation is in crisis: libraries respond

“…Apart from extensive disasters, e.g. floods (Iske and Lengfellner, 2015;Kaur, 2009), tornadoes (Bishop and Veil, 2013), earthquakes (Shaheen, 2008), tsunamis (Superio and Alayon, 2015;Warnasuriya, 2005), fires and wars (Becker, 2003), and civil disorders ( Johnson, 2005), libraries also face smaller incidents, such as burst heating pipes, water leaks, rain penetration (Gerlach, 2004), small fires, theft, vandalism, paper decay, insect raids, mold (Weaver-Meyers et al, 1998), etc. After all, the crises that libraries suffer not only affect them as institutions, but also threaten the security of the library as our collective memory (Aziagba and Edet, 2008;Kostagiolas et al, 2011).…”