Risk Management & Disaster Recovery in Australian Public Libraries Dr Diane l Velasquez University of south Australia 2 august 2018

Defining a disaster Bush Fires Cyclones Earthquakes Floods Human caused Terrorism

Finding public libraries Finding libraries that have had a disaster in the last 10-15 years Severity of the disaster Whether or not it had been publicised in the local or national press Surviving disaster and being able to discuss it

Methodology Emailed 60 Australian and New Zealand public libraries 10 Australian libraries responded (17%) Face-to-face 45-60 minute semi-structured interviews Interviewed during June-August 2017 Digitally recorded Hand coded iteratively

Preliminary Findings - Assets Archival – local history or a unique donated collection Buildings Collections People Rare book collection

Emergency Management Plans All libraries discussed emergency management plans coordinated with their council Branches had books with complete plans and instructions Some library managers have priority collections that should be removed in case of disaster or building destruction

Governance – Risk Management Public library governance is at the leadership of the council In some states, emergency management is legislated Risk management plans are created and managed at the council level Library manager implement them locally

Contact Dr Diane Velasquez Program Director University of South Australia (08) 8302 5101 Diane.Velasquez@unisa.edu.au