Disaster response in Chile: The critical role of libraries and telecenters

Abstract

In 2010, a massive earthquake struck Chile, followed by a tsunami that devastated several coastal communities. The Libraries, Telecenters, and the 2010 Chile Earthquake project examines post-disaster information and communication needs, services provided by libraries and telecenters, and how emergency management might be improved. Researchers found that libraries and telecenters played an important role in responding to the crisis. The project team concluded: (1) that governments should include these venues in emergency plans, (2) that library-telecenter alliances and coordination could be improved; (3) that there is a need to develop tools and provide training to make it easier to organize and communicate in post-emergency situations.