Role of Libraries in emergency context: The case of the 2010

Earthquake and Tsunami in Chile

Maria Garrido & Beth Patin In collaboration with Angelica Celedón y Andrea Pequeño (ATACH)

The Urgency of Reading

October 11th, 2013

Paris, France

GO WITH THE FLOW

Motivation 2010 Chilean Earthquake

& Tsunami Case Study Themes and Trends

Directions for the Future

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• What roles did libraries play during this crisis?

• What strategies were implemented to foster communication and information sharing for people in affected areas?

• Are there common elements across the public access venues which would facilitate appropriate response in the future?

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RESEARCH GOALS

FEBRUARY 27, 2010: THE MAULE EARTHQUAKE

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DIFFERENT ROLES LIBRARIES PLAY

1. Changing information and communication needs

2. Shifting services/shifting roles

3. Transformation of Community Space

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CHANGING INFORMATION NEEDS | SHIFTING LIBRARY SERVICES

THE TECHNOLOGY COMPONENT

• Locating & interacting with family and friends

• Downloading/Filling government forms

• Checking updates about conditions of the affected region.

• Locating information on the status of their homes and work places

THE SOCIAL COMPONENT

• Creating & distributing preparedness information

• Establishing emergency operations centers

• Providing physical aid (food, water, tarps, shelter)

• Assisting with completion of government forms

• Cleaning up the damage after the disaster.

CHANGING INFORMATION NEEDS

1. Safety & Welfare (I’m okay, Are you okay) 2. Access to basic needs (food, water, shelter, etc.)

Citizens in Chile locating family members | Mobile Telecenter Source: CDI Europe

CHANGING INFORMATION NEEDS

3. Filling out government forms and insurance claims

Astrodome Library after Hurricane Katrina Source: Beth Patin

Technology & Social Change Group University of Washington Information School

tascha.uw.edu +1.206.616.9101

Twitter: @taschagroup

Asociación de Telecentros Activos de Chile (ATACH) www.atach.cl

(56 2) 89 15 261 Twitter: @atach_chile

Maria Garrido Research Assistant Professor migarrid@uw.edu @mariaigarrido

Beth Patin PhD Student bethp@uw.edu

This research was made possible by Microsoft and the Global Impact Study, a project co-funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre

(IDRC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation