Dynamic Library Services during Extreme Events:

The Case of the 2010 Earthquake and Tsunami in Chile

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

American Library Association

June 24th 2012

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GO WITH THE FLOW

Motivation2010 Chilean Earthquake

& Tsunami Case StudyThemes and Trends

Directions for the Future

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FEBRUARY 27, 2010: THE MAULE EARTHQUAKE

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• What roles did libraries and telecenters 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?

RESEARCH GOALS

INFORMATION LIVEWORLDS THEORY: BURNETT & JAEGER 2010

• Based on Chatman (Small Worlds and Normative Behavior) & Habermas (Lifeworlds)

• Explores information behavior in terms of all the intertwined levels of society

Analytical levels:1. Social norms: shared sense of appropriate behavior2. Social types: roles that define actors and how they are perceived3. Information behavior: full range of activities related to information4. Boundaries: points where information worlds interact5. Social, political, and technological contexts

5 TELECENTERS AND 5 PUBLIC LIBRARIES

FIELD WORK IN REGIONS VII, VIII, AND SANTIAGO

Interviews• Librarians and other Staff• Telecenters’ Staff• Heads of city planning• Reps. the Ministry of Telecom• President of ATACH (telecenters’

network)• Head of Biblioredes

Focus Groups- Poligono - Coronel- Curico - Santiago- Empedrado - Coronel

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INDICATORS OF A LIBRARY’S ABILITY TO RESPOND:

1. The level of damage to the infrastructure (building, connectivity, electricity, etc.)

2. Staff initiative and leadership

3. The strength of the institutions network, including links with other institutions, neighborhood committees, and community stakeholders.

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FINDINGS IN THREE AREAS:

1. Changing information and communication needs

2. Shifting services/shifting roles

3. Transformation of Community Space

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 TelecenterSource: CDI Chile

CHANGING INFORMATION NEEDS

3. Filling out government forms and insurance claims

Citizens in Chile locating family members | Mobile TelecenterSource: CDI Chile

RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Government at all levels should incorporate libraries and telecenters into emergency planning and response efforts.

2. Create tools and provide training to make it easier to organize and communicate in emergency situations.

3. Library and telecenter networks should coordinate response plans, as well as advocate to be included in government planning processes.

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Same Same but DifferentTemporary Library Astrodome

Houston, TexasMobile TelecenterPhoto: CDI Chile

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Technology & Social Change GroupUniversity 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 261Twitter: @atach_chile

Maria GarridoResearch Assistant Professormigarrid@uw.edu@mariaigarrido

Beth PatinPhD Candidatebethp@uw.edu@bethpatin

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