Disaster Management and Preparedness: A Case Study of University of Jos Library

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of staff preparedness towards fire disaster in University of Jos Library. Survey research method was adopted for the study. The measuring instrument comprised of questionnaire and interview. Out of the 106 copies of questionnaire distributed 104 (98.11%) were filled, returned and found suitable for use. After-which simple frequency tables, percentages, means and weighted averages were used to analyse the results. For the interview, a face-to-face interactive session was held between the researchers and the University Librarian on issues of Disaster Management Plan in the Library. Results obtained from the analyses of the questionnaire revealed that majority of the respondents were very aware of the fire-safety rules and safety measures in the Library, this was indicated by a weighted average of 3.80 (82%). Furthermore, majority of the respondents were moderately aware of the availability of fire-fighting equipment in the Library, this was also indicated by a weighted average of 2.64 (66.01%). However, majority of the respondents were not prepared towards using the fire-fighting equipment, this was further indicated by a weighted average of 1.39 (34.83%). The results also revealed that majority of the respondents seldom checked the functionality of the fire-fighting equipment, this was indicated by a weighted average of 2.02 (40.4%). More-so, majority of the respondents were not aware of what to do towards salvaging partly damaged library resources in print and in digital media, this was also indicated by a weighted average of 1.55 (38.75%) and majority of the respondents were not prepared towards salvaging partly damaged resources in print and in digital media, this was further indicated by a 2 weighted average of 1.4 (35%). Finally, majority of the respondents agreed that there were constraints encountered when managing fire disaster in the Library, this was indicated by a weighted average of 3.18 (79.5%). The interview result revealed that there is a Disaster Management Plan that was developed some years ago in the Library, and the Plan is still presently in use. It was therefore recommended among others that the Library Staff should be informed by the Library Management of the availability of a Disaster Management Plan in the Library. They should also be assigned different roles to play in order to manage disaster based on the outline of the Plan. The Disaster Management Plan should also be evaluated by a Committee to find out if there is need to review its content. Finally, there is also the need for acquisition and installation of more fire-fighting equipment including modern equipment and Staff should be trained on the use of the equipment.