Library Resilience and Leadership: Lessons from Disaster Research to engage your community and empower your staff

Abstract

When disaster strikes, "something wicked this way comes." Is your library prepared? Librarian first responders need to provide quality, timely, and accurate information during disasters but also often serve in other critical roles, including refuge and intermediary. In this poster, the authors will report the findings from multiple studies (including hurricanes, floods, fires, and the COVID pandemic) on emergency preparedness, risk communication, and disaster/health information services. One focus will be on information professionals' leadership qualifications and competencies and their contributions before, during, and after the disasters hit the communities they serve. Highlights include how libraries step up in leadership roles for their communities, serve children and families, build partnerships with various agencies, and foster essential relationships. Other examples include designing and delivering multicultural programming for youth and families during disasters. Learn about findings that can help libraries better plan for disasters, build resiliency, develop staff leadership proficiencies, and promote community engagement. Tips will be offered on how librarians advocate for the community's needs, create partnerships with various agencies, and reduce the community's literacy deficiencies applicable to libraries regardless of where they are, information valuable to building a shared culture of preparedness.