In the Wake of the Disaster - Project of Iraqi Scientific Assets Preservation (Case Study)

Abstract

It is also known that disasters of all kinds, whether natural or man-made lead to many damages, including what affects the population, or property. The previous research and studies agreed that strategies, capacities, capabilities and measures needed to reduce the negative consequences of disasters. This study aims to bring into view the precautionary and preventive measures that the libraries and institutions which contain the assets of their country should follow before the occurrence of a man-made or natural disaster. This is due to our experience after the terrorist attack that took place in part of our country Iraq by terrorist groups they called themselves ISIS. After reviewing most of the measures taken at present, the focus is on the tools used to strengthen and support library buildings to confront exceptional circumstances as well modern technologies that can be used for early warning such as fire alarm equipment and moisture meters. In this study, we will answer a question that has rarely been addressed. What should be done to confront a human terrorist disaster (like ISIS, for example)? What proactive measures should libraries and institutions do to avoid the loss of their assets by terrorist acts? Based on the United Nations concept of Sendai in 2015, we discussed Priority 4 and explained how the library of Al-Abbas holy shrine (a public library in mid of Iraq), contributed to the preservation of Iraqi scientific assets deposited in other libraries after ISIS attacks which brought damages to many of them, via digitizing old assets where no electronic version is available. The process of converting old works of all kinds (manuscripts, lithographs, old books, letters, university theses and dissertations, journals, etc.) from paper version to electronic version to ensure that these assets are not lost and it's consider one of the most important pre-emptive steps before a disaster happens.