Bandung, September 2023 – Acknowledging Indonesia’s high disaster risk, a research team from the Library and Information Science (PSI) Program, Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran (Fikom Unpad) has completed a comprehensive textbook titled “Disaster-Safe Library Guidelines.” This book serves as an essential manual to ensure that libraries in Indonesia are adequately prepared to face various disaster threats while protecting the valuable information collections they preserve.
The research team behind this initiative consists of experienced academics and practitioners: Dr. Edwin Rizal, Dr. Ute Lies Siti Khadijah, M.Si., Asep Hermansyah, MAP, and Slamet Riyadi, S.I.Pust. Their collaboration integrates expertise in library science and risk management, resulting in a practical and relevant work that can be implemented by librarians across the country.
The development of these guidelines was driven by Indonesia’s geographical reality, being located on the Mediterranean and Pacific Ring of Fire. This position makes the country highly vulnerable to earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, volcanic eruptions, and landslides. These disasters threaten not only human safety but also the very existence of libraries as vital institutions that safeguard and preserve the nation’s intellectual heritage. Therefore, the guidelines were created as a proactive measure to protect this wealth of information.
According to the research team, library collections—both physical and digital—are highly vulnerable to damage, whether from natural disasters or human-induced events such as fires or vandalism. For this reason, the guidelines emphasize the importance of disaster preparedness and management planning, including prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery. The textbook provides strategic steps to minimize damage and ensure the continuity of library operations.
Furthermore, the guidelines highlight the crucial role of librarians. They are not only custodians of collections but also agents of disaster information dissemination and public awareness. Through these guidelines, librarians are equipped with the knowledge, training, and formal procedures needed to carry out this role effectively. This effort also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities and Goal 13 on climate action.This initiative from Fikom Unpad represents a significant contribution to strengthening national resilience in the field of information and knowledge. With the publication of the “Disaster-Safe Library Guidelines,” it is hoped that all libraries in Indonesia will be better prepared to face future challenges, ensuring that the nation’s intellectual wealth remains protected and accessible for generations to come.
