Supervisors info:
Λέκκας Ευθύμιος, Επιβλέπων Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Γεωλογίας & Γεωπεριβάλλοντος Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Βασιλάκης Εμμανουήλ, Επίκουρος Καθηγητής, Τμήμα Γεωλογίας & Γεωπεριβάλλοντος Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Αντωνίου Βαρβάρα, Ε.ΔΙ.Π. , Τμήμα Γεωλογίας & Γεωπεριβάλλοντος, Ε.Κ.Π.Α.
Summary:
This thesis aims in exploring the roles of Libraries and Information Centers in the management of a disaster or a crisis. The first axis of this study focuses on the programming that has taken place before a disaster or a crisis and how it can minimize the impact of a disaster or crisis on a Library or a Cultural Foundation. The second axis of the study aims in exploring the possible roles that Librarians can undertake in disasters and crises in the local community they serve, in addition to their regular or routine work. In particular: a) Case studies from the international literature are presented and analyzed, in which Libraries played an important role in the management of specific crises and disasters, via literarture review and b) The existence of crisis and disaster management plans in Libraries in Greece are examined and the perceptions of Library employees in Greece about the roles that a Library can have in crisis and disaster management are examined, by means of original empirical research.
The research involved Library employees (in academic, public, municipal and foundation Libraries) in Greece. The overwhelming majority of Library employees that participated in the research believe that a Library needs a crisis and disaster, or emergency management plan; however a large majority points out that their Library does not have such a plan. Regarding who has developed existing disaster and crisis management plans, Library employees mainly reported a particular department, office or individual outside the library but within the institution, or a Library employee with education or training in Crisis and Disaster Management. The overwhelming majority also stated that they have not personally dealt with a crisis and disaster or emergency management plan.
The Library employees who participated in the research expressed very high percentages of positive attitudes, regarding all the possible roles that a Library can take, both before a crisis or a disaster and during or after the crisis or the disaster. The overwhelming majority of the Library employees that participated in the research consider that education and training in crisis and disaster management are essential, but the vast majority has not attended a relevant program. Factor analysis confirmed the theoretical framework of the thesis. The Library employees who participated in the research do not differ in their perceptions corresponding to their gender, their position in the Library, their level of education, the type and the geographical area of the Library, except from the perceptions about new roles before a disaster or a crisis with regard to the position of Library employees, where the most positive views are presented by Libraries’ supervisors and Librarians.
Keywords:
Disaster and Crisis, Disaster and Crisis Management, Libraries, Cultural Foundations, Roles of Libraries