Disaster Management Plan for Academic Libraries in Lucena City

Threat due to several disasters is one of the center apprehensions in the library. As such, this study aimed to investigate the possible threats or hazards that may happen in academic libraries. It is also aimed to find out the factors that contribute to academic libraries' vulnerability to disaster. Moreover, this study addressed the possible hazards or threats in terms of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. The qualitative design of the research was utilized. Developed checklist, validated interview questionnaire and note-taking were the researcher’s strategies to collect precise data. Gathered data were presented and interpreted qualitatively using thematic analysis. Results showed that academic libraries are high risks to typhoons, fire, and security threats.

Further, the findings of this study also revealed that academic libraries are not prepared for different types of a disaster such as a typhoon, fire, security hazard, floods and many more as they do not have an existing disaster management plan. Likewise, in academic libraries, preventive measures are not enough to lessen and avoid the possible impact of a disaster.

With these collected data, a written library Disaster Management Plan has been developed which hopes to help the academic librarians fulfill the particular needs of their libraries in case disaster strikes. This plan has not been developed to sustain all their needs rather provide general measures for specific hazards, threats, and content of a disaster management plan. Also, this can be altered to suit the specific needs of other academic libraries.