Health sciences librarians' reference services during a disaster: more than collection protection

Area of Science:

• Information Science
• Disaster Management
• Library and Information Services

Background:

• Professional information services are vital during community-wide disasters.
• Existing literature focuses on collection protection, with limited guidance on reference and information services during emergencies.
• Hurricane Katrina highlighted the need for robust disaster information services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate the value of proactive and innovative information services during disasters.
• To explore the application of professional information needs analysis skills in disaster contexts.
• To identify potential areas for developing best practice guidelines for disaster information services.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of four case studies from South Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina in September 2005.
• Examination of the planning and provision of reference and information services during a major disaster.
• Qualitative assessment of information needs and service delivery.

Main Results:

• Proactive and innovative information services, informed by needs analysis, proved valuable.
• The case studies illustrated the critical role of information professionals in disaster response.
• Effective information services require a focus on user needs, even in crisis situations.

Conclusions:

• Further study of disaster information service cases can inform best practice development.
• Developing guidelines for disaster information services is essential for future preparedness.
• Information needs analysis is a key skill for effective disaster information provision.