Disaster Preparedness in Selected University Libraries in Ghana

Abstract

The study examined disaster preparedness in academic libraries in Ghana. The researchers adopted a mixed method for this study. Three university libraries in Ghana were selected to find out about their level of disaster preparedness. The population consisted of 52 professionals and paraprofessionals from the selected academic libraries. A questionnaire and interview guide were adopted to collect the data. The quantitative data were analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (22.0 version), whereas the qualitative data were analysed using Nvivo software (20.0). The study established that all academic library staff were aware of disasters. However, staff training in disaster management programmes was inadequate. The study confirmed that, besides fire extinguishers, none of the libraries surveyed had any other disaster resistant equipment. The study revealed that there were no disaster committees in the libraries. It is recommended that all libraries must have smoke detectors, emergency exits, and water-sensing alarms, among others.