Assessment of Disaster Management and Preparedness Practices in Academic Libraries of Tanzania

Haule, Englibert (2023) Assessment of Disaster Management and Preparedness Practices in Academic Libraries of Tanzania. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate disaster management and preparedness practices in selected academic libraries in Tanzania. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; to determine the extent to which library staff are aware of disaster preparedness practices, to assess the available infrastructure in relationship to disaster preparedness in the selected academic libraries, to find out measures that are in place to control disaster outbreak in selected academic libraries in Tanzania as well as to determine challenges facing disaster management and preparedness practices in the selected libraries. The study population included librarians and library directors from selected academic libraries. Probabilityrobability and non-probability sampling techniques were used to select 70 respondents who were involved in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires, interview and Observation methods. Equally, data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS) version 22, and Microsoft Office Excel. The key findings of this study showed that 81% of the respondents were not aware of the availability and importance of disaster preparedness plan in their libraries. Nevertheless the disaster preparedness plan was found in only one library. Further, the study exposed that,libraries, staff were not trained on the disaster equipment and facilities were installed in libraries though most library staff were not trained on how to use them when the disaster occurs. Thislibraries. means their Libraries were not very much prepared to prevent, response, or manage disasters. Again,, Furthermore, the study revealed that, though the written document of five years’ library disaster management plan was there as a measure to respond disaster, it had no value because the librarians were not aware of it. Furthermore, thethat study exposed the major challenges that include: limited fund, to conduct training and purchasing disaster preparedness equipment’s, no written disaster policy, no training to library staff on disaster management and as well as limited awareness in disaster preparedness and management. themanagement. The study recommended that there should be disaster training programs to library staff,, relevant disaster facilities and equipment to be should be adequately provided to academic libraries, enough fund should be allocated for training on disaster preparedness.Lastlyinstalled, Lastly, the study concludes that, most academic libraries in Tanzania including the selected academic libraries has low awareness. in disaster preparedness. The major reasons for low awareness were due to inadequacy training. Lack of enlightenment for creating community awareness and cautions on fire incidences and poor fire outbreaks management. Keyword: Disaster, Disaster management, Academic libraries, Disaster preparedness

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