Disaster Preparedness of Academic Libraries: A Case Study From Indonesia

Abstract Disaster preparedness activities are important for libraries, as they collect and provide access to information and knowledge of human intellectual ideas and work. This study aims to identify potential disasters that may be experienced by academic libraries in Indonesia as well as their disaster preparedness activities. A quantitative approach was used to survey 85 academic library representatives who attended an academic librarian forum in Jakarta, Indonesia. The results identified the many types of natural and manmade disasters that have already and continue to threaten collections and services of respondent libraries. In addition to earthquakes and floods, threats include risks from human actions such as theft and vandalism, as well as problems arising from unstable electrical power supplies, and hardware and software malfunctions. This study also found that the majority of libraries participating in the study do not have a disaster preparedness plan.