Journal of Knowledge-Research Studies

Determination and Prioritization of Public Library Services in Disasters

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor, Knowledge and Information Science Department, University of Qom, Qom, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Asian Cultural Documents Studies, Research Institute of Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

3 Master in Knowledge and Information Science; Department of Knowledge and Information Science; Qom University of Medical Sciences; Qom. Iran

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to identify and prioritize the services provided by public libraries during disasters, focusing on their roles before, during, and after such events.
Methodology: The research, applied in purpose and descriptive-survey in method, utilized the fuzzy Delphi technique and the Best Worst Method (BWM) to analyze the opinions of 62 public library librarians and 11 library science experts in Iran.
Findings: The resulting model outlines 33 services categorized into pre-disaster (14 services), during-disaster (12 services), and post-disaster (7 services). Services during disasters were deemed the most critical, followed by pre-disaster and post-disaster services. Key services include implementing mobile health ambassador libraries, forming voluntary campaigns among librarians, and establishing specialized groups to assess immediate library needs.
Conclusion: Public libraries hold a vital role in disaster response and recovery due to their mission of equal access and community support. This study proposes a localized, actionable model of library services to enhance disaster management in Iran.
Value: By addressing the unique needs of communities during crises, public libraries can significantly contribute to disaster preparedness and recovery, reinforcing their role as safe havens and resource hubs.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References
Ardalan, A. & et al. (2022). Household Preparedness Training Guide for Disasters, Tehran: Office of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Tehran: Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education. [In Persian]
Baybordi, A., Bahri Sales, J., Jabbarzadeh Kangarloo, S., & Zavari Rezayi, A. (2022). Fuzzy Delphi algorithm and fuzzy DEMITEL in Designing and explanation of Relational capital in Banks. Governmental Accounting, 8(2), 81-90. doi: 10.30473/gaa.2022.59805.1498 Norouzi, Y.,  & JafariFar, N. (2022). Public Library Extracurricular Services in Disaster: A Systematic Review of Writings at the International Conference on Design and Development of Public Library Services; Patterns, Experiences & Ideas, Iran, Shiraz. https://civilica.com/doc/1670369/ [In Persian]
Castillo, M. & Ford, D. (2014 November 18). Governor Declares State of Emergency in Ferguson. CNN.
Chiochios, M.E. (2016). The Tweets heard around the world: Ferguson Municipal Public Library’s Twitter use around the 2014 civil unrest and its role in supporting community disaster resilience. Master’s Thesis. In L.S degree
Davis, A. S., & Jankow, C. (2019). On why library workers are well-suited to serve during disasters. Collaborative Librarianship, 11(1), 5-10.
Flaherty, M. G. (2016). Here, there and everywhere: Disasters and public libraries.
Garner, J., Hider, P., Jamali, H. R., Lymn, J., Mansourian, Y., Randell-Moon, H., & Wakeling, S. (2021). ‘Steady ships’ in the COVID-19 crisis: Australian public library responses to the pandemic. Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/24750158.2021.1901329
Hassanpour, H., & Nasri, A. (2023). Identification and techniques of psychological warfare using fuzzy Delphi combined method and network analysis. Journal of Defense and Technology, 5 (4), 177-208. Dor:20.1001.1.28212606.1401.5.16.6.0 [In Persian]
Hill, B. (2010). Diagnosing co-ordination problems in the emergency management response to disasters. Interacting with Computers, 22(1), 43-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intcom.2009.11.003
Hodgetts, D., Stolte, O., Chamberlain, K., Radley, A., Nikora, L., Nabalarua, E., & Groot, S. (2008). A trip to the library: Homelessness and social inclusion. Social & Cultural Geography, 9(8), 933-953. https://doi.org/10.1080/14649360802441432
Ilo, P. I., Izuagbe, R., Mole, A. J., & Ekwueme, L. (2018). Measuring disaster preparedness and response practices in university libraries in Nigeria: The role of disaster equipment. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 31, 85-91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2018.04.007
Kam, M., & Lee, J. Y. (2013). A comparative study of cultural programs offered by public libraries and other regional public service institutions. Journal of the Korean BIBLIA Society for library and Information Science, 24(4), 197-215. http://dx.doi.org/10.14699/kbiblia.2013.24.4.197
Khademizadeh, S., Farajpahlou, H., & Mohammadi, Z. (2020). Investigating the Readiness of Iranian Public Libraries in Confronting Dust Crisis. Library and Information Sciences, 23(2), 117-136. doi:  10.30481/lis.2020.216377.1671   [In Persian]
khajeali jahantighi, Z., & omidkhoda, M. (2022). Identifying Health-Based Services in Iranian Public Libraries during the Corona Crisis (Corona and Post-corona era): Public Health Information System. Journal of Studies in Library and Information Science, 14(Special Issue: COVID-19), 54-72. doi: 10.22055/slis.2022.34561.1779  [In Persian]
Klaebe, H. (2013). Facilitating local stories in post-disaster regional communities: evaluation in narrative-driven oral history projects. Oral History Journal of South Africa, 1(1), 125-142.
Kosciejew, M. (2020). The coronavirus pandemic, libraries and information: a thematic analysis of initial international responses to COVID-19. Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication.70 (4-5), 304-324.  https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-04-2020-0041
Lawshe, C. H. (1975). A quantitative approach to content validity. Personnel psychology, 28(4), 563-575.
Lee, P. C. (2024). Unveiling Community Resilience: The Integral Role of Public Libraries. Journal of Library Administration, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/01930826.2024.2305072
Lee, S. Y. (2004). Strategies for improving cultural services of public libraries. Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science, 38(3), 23-43. https://doi.org/10.4275/KSLIS.2004.38.3.023
Marjani, A. (2012). Identifying and introducing the main natural and unnatural factors damaging libraries: recommendations and strategies. Shamseh: Electronic publication of the Organization of Libraries, Museums and Documents Center of Astan Quds Razavi, 5 (18), 1-20. [In Persian]
Monroy-Fraustro, D., Maldonado-Castellanos, I., Aboites-Molina, M., Rodríguez, S., Sueiras, P., Altamirano-Bustamante, N. F., & Altamirano-Bustamante, M. M. (2021). Bibliotherapy as a Non-pharmaceutical Intervention to Enhance Mental Health in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review and Bioethical Meta-Analysis. Frontiers in public health, 9, 42. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.629872
Newman, J. (2007). Re-mapping the public: Public libraries and the public sphere. Cultural Studies, 21(6), 887-909. https://doi.org/10.1080/09502380701470916
Norouzi, Y.,  & JafariFar, N. (2022). Public Library Extracurricular Services in Disaster: A Systematic Review of Writings at the International . Shiraz. https://civilica.com/doc/1670369/ [In Persian]
Rosenfeld, K. (2015, April 28) Baltimore Libraries stay open through riots. MTV.
Rostami, M., Rahmani, M., Chakhmahi, N., Fathi Shivai, F. (2014, May 9). Investigating the building safety situation in public libraries in Tehran, National Conference on Safety in Libraries. Tehran. https://civilica.com/doc/454362/ [In Persian]
Sadr Momtaz, N., Tabebi, S. J., & Mahmode, M. (2007). A comparative study in disaster planning in selected countries. Tehran University Medical Journal, 65(Suppl 1), 14-19.‏ [In Persian]
Saif, A. A. (2021). Educational measurement, assessment, and evaluation. Doran. [In Persian]
Soehner, C., Godfrey, I., & Bigler, G. S. (2017). Crisis communication in libraries: Opportunity for new roles in public relations. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 43(3), 268-273. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2017.03.003
Summers, S., & Buchanan, S. (2018). Public libraries as cultural hubs in disadvantaged communities: Developing and fostering cultural competencies and connections. The library quarterly, 88(3), 286-302. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/697707
Vucenovic, T. (2021). Communication through Social Media: Blogs and Wikis in Libraries. Qualitative and Quantitative Methods in Libraries, 10(3), 315-328.
Wang, S., Bressington, D. T., Leung, A. Y. M., Davidson, P. M., & Cheung, D. S. K. (2020). The effects of bibliotherapy on the mental well-being of informal caregivers of people with neurocognitive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International journal of nursing studies, 109, 103643. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2020.103643v
Yang, S. Y., & Cha, M. K. (2011). A study on the model of multicultural services in public libraries. Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science, 45(1), 311-332.
Yang, S., & Ju, B. (2021). Library support for emergency management during the time of natural disasters: Through the lens of public library Twitter data. Library & Information Science Research, 43(1), 101072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2021.101072
Young, E. (2018). The role of public libraries in disasters. New Visions for Public Affairs, 10, 31-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lisr.2021.101072
Zarei Savaroklai, Monica; Delice, Mitra (2015, May 9). Determination of Physical Security and Safety in Public Libraries in Mazandaran Province, National Conference on Safety in Libraries. Tehran. https://civilica.com/doc/390217/ [In Persian]
 
Journal of Knowledge-Research Studies
Volume 3, Issue 3 - Serial Number 9
December 2024
Pages 53-71
Files
Share
How to cite
Statistics