A framework for disaster management for community libraries in the North West Province, South Africa

Abstract

A disaster may affect any library at any time. Libraries need to be prepared to mitigate and to recover from disasters. Plans need to be in place before, during and after a disaster to ensure that a library is able to resume operations. Community libraries are important in South Africa, as they provide access to information for the majority of the population, especially in rural communities. This study examined the disaster management practices of community libraries in North West province, South Africa. The disaster management practices of community libraries is an area that has not received much attention. Community libraries in North West are dispersed across the province; some are located in villages, others in semi-urban and urban areas. Using a multi-method approach, the study utilised a questionnaire, semi-structured interviews and document analysis to examine disaster management practices of individual community libraries and Assistant Directors and the institution that is the custodian of libraries, the North West Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA). The participants were community librarians and library assistants employed by CATA. The response rate for the quantitative phase was 64%, and 100% for the qualitative phase. The major results indicate that community librarians believe disaster management is the responsibility of their municipalities, few of the librarians anticipate that a disaster could occur, and CATA does not prioritise disaster management as part of its operations – this is evident from a lack of support and training. Disaster management is affected by misconceptions that a disaster will not occur, or that it was a once-off event, and that the municipality will take care of the responsibility. CATA does not expect community libraries to practice disaster management. Community leaders were highlighted by participants in this study as vital role players in the success of disaster management initiatives in libraries, due to their authority in the community. The study recommends that disaster management should be a key performance area for community librarians, and that partnerships should be established between municipalities, CATA and the community libraries, so that disaster management activities can be a collaborative effort characterised by interaction and communication.