In 2010, a massive earthquake struck Chile, followed by a tsunami that devastated several coastal communities. The Libraries, Telecenters, and the 2010 Chile Earthquake project examines post-disaster information and communication needs, services provided by libraries and telecenters, and how emergency management might be improved. Researchers found that libraries and telecenters played an important role in responding to the crisis. The project team concluded: (1) that governments should include these venues in emergency plans, (2) that library-telecenter alliances and coordination could be improved; (3) that there is a need to develop tools and provide training to make it easier to organize and communicate in post-emergency situations.
Public libraries, as public Internet access points and as physical and social community hubs, play an important role in the aftermath of disasters. Information...
In 2010, a massive earthquake struck Chile, followed by a tsunami that devastated several coastal communities. The Libraries, Telecenters, and the 2010...
Las bibliotecas y telecentros han jugado un papel fundamental en situaciones de emergencia y esta investigación examina su rol después del terremoto...
To provide emergency communications services, libraries and telecenters that suffered severe structural damage relocated equipment to unused buildings or emergency tents, or even to staffers’ homes. For example, a mobile telecenter provided by the Committee to Democratize Information Technology (CDI) brought access to needed information — and created a sense of “normalcy” for children and teens, who could use the computers and Internet for brief periods to socialize and play games.
One space became a temporary shelter for over 40 families; others collected food and clothing and coordinated volunteers for distribution to homes or other locations; and some provided space to emergency response agencies. The functions of the centers and libraries evolved in the months following the disaster.
In the immediate aftermath (in locations where connectivity and infrastructure remained intact) staff helped individuals contact families and friends. They also researched general information, government assistance resources, and the availability of basic services (food, shelter, clothing) — subsequently posting what they learned in public locations, such as shops and churches. In the weeks following the disaster, libraries and telecenters also helped people gather the documentation required to apply for government subsidies to rebuild their homes.
Governments and library, telecenter, and community representatives should work together to develop basic tools and training programs that improve emergency preparedness and response. These might include staff workshops, content that can be added to existing communication materials, online games targeting youth, or platforms that use social media and mobile devices to crowdsource and make sense of crisis information.
Our research found that library and telecenter responses to the 2010 disaster were largely siloed by venue; they communicated within their own networks, rarely making links between the two types of organizations. To better respond to crises, efforts should be made to create alliances and coordinate activities and information flows. Similarly, the library and telecenter communities should work together to advocate for inclusion in the development and delivery of government emergency preparedness and response programs.
