Public libraries in crisis time: empirigraphy of Iranian public libraries in the 2019 Iran massive flood

Abstract

Purpose

One of the largest floods in Iran happened in Nowruz in 2019, during which torrents of rain, flooding of rivers, landslides and the destruction of dams caused floods and led to financial losses and loss of life in 25 provinces of Iran. During and after the flood, 39 public libraries were closed, three libraries were evacuated and one was completely destroyed.

Design/methodology/approach

Despite the damage that occurred in the libraries, the preventive measures had been taken by many of them to reduce the whole damage. In addition, after the flood, responsible organizations including Iran Public Libraries Institution, the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults and the Cultural and Art Organization of Municipality and the Mosques and Cultural Center, as well as other relief and social teams, and even people performed activities to reduce the negative impacts caused by the flood.

Findings

This article reviews these activities and their effectiveness. In the end, “the development of a plan for public libraries in natural and social crises” is proposed and the reasons for its necessity are discussed.

Originality/value

This article reviews these activities and their effectiveness. In the end, “the development of a plan for public libraries in natural and social crises” is proposed and the reasons for its necessity are discussed.

Citation

Pazooki, F. and Saboori, F. (2021), "Public libraries in crisis time: empirigraphy of Iranian public libraries in the 2019 Iran massive flood", Library Management, Vol. 42 No. 3, pp. 233-244. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-12-2019-0091