ICML 2009: Meeting Room 2 Session 35

Theme: Emerging diseases & disasters

Time:15.30-16.45
Date: Thursday 3rd September 2009
Chair: Rolf Schafer

Sichuan 512 catastrophe - rebuilding libraries after the earthquake
Presented By: Julia LY Chan, University of Hong Kong, China
Anthony W. Ferguson, University of Hong Kong, China

Julia L.Y. Chan is currently working in the University of Hong Kong as the Medical Librarian and Team Leader of the Branch Libraries Services Team. Prior to this, she has taken responsibilities in various post including Dental Librarian, Reader Services Librarian and Collection Development Librarian in the University of Hong Kong. She is active in local and international professional activities and was Past President of the Hong Kong Library Association (2005-2006). She was awarded the Fellow of the Hong Kong Library Association and Distinguished Member of the Medical Library Association (U.S.), Academy of Health Information Professionals.

Abstract:
The 7.9-magnitude earthquake, China's worst natural disaster in three decades, struck Sichuan Province on 12 May 2008 leaving over 5 million homeless and many killed or injured. This earthquake has caused major destruction and irreparable damages followed by a massive relief operation with contribution from the world community. While hundreds of elementary schools have been damaged in the Sichuan and Shanxi Provinces, programs and projects were created to help rebuild the educational system. The Library Society of China posted information on its website to alert damages to libraries in the region. Libraries and schools in the affected areas were visited. Books were donated to libraries and schools and some university libraries acted as distributor for donated books.

This presentation reports the aftermath of the earthquake, its consequences and recovery effort. In particular, it relates to the damages to libraries in Sichuan, lessons learned, and volunteer cooperation in Hong Kong to help the local community to rebuild, repair libraries and regain the gift of education.

Library Disaster and Emergency Planning
Presented By: Cynthia L. Henderson, MILS, AHIP, Library Director
Darlene P. Kelly, MSLS, Division Head for Information Services
Joe Swanson, MSLS, Division Head for Computer Systems
Xiomara E. Arango, MSLS, Division Head for Technical Services
Roland B. Welmaker, PhD, Archivist and Librarian 3. Morehouse School of Medicine

Ms. Cynthia L. Henderson is currently the Library Director at Morehouse School of Medicine and holds the rank of Research Instructor in the Medical Education Department. She joined the Morehouse School of Medicine in 2000. She received a BS degree with honors from Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi, and a Masters in Information and Library Studies from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Ms. Henderson is a Distinguished Member of the Medical Library Association’s Academy of Health Information Professionals. She has been involved in Medical Library Administration for the past 15 years. In 2006 she was chosen as a Medical Informatics Marine Biological Laboratory/National Library of Medicine (MBL/NLM) Course Fellow and completed work at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Currently she is the 2008/2009 Chair of the Relevant Issues Section of MLA and is serving on the NIH/NLM Pubmed Central National Advisory Committee from 2008 to 2012.

Abstract:
Objective: This project looked at disaster and emergency planning at libraries to make sure that participants were aware of the need to have a disaster plan, and if necessary provided training on how to create one.

Participants: Librarians responsible for disaster planning at their library.

Method: The National Library of Medicine’s (NLM) Long Range plan includes a recommendation that established a Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC). Library disaster plans were looked at and compared to the NLM DIMRC disaster planning template to verify that key components were included. Where necessary, librarians showed participants where to go for disaster or emergency information, how to create a plan and how to share it with other libraries.

Results: The following goals and objectives were met:

• Goal 1: Participants were made aware of the need to prepare for a disaster by having a plan.
• Goal 2: Participants were made aware of key components of a model disaster plan used by the NLM.
• Objective 1: 90% of participants were able to identify at least 3 key components that are included in the NLM disaster plan.
• Objective 2: 100% of participants created an outline of a/or modified an existing disaster plan.
• Objective 3: 100% of participants know where to go for information about disaster planning.

Conclusion: As we have seen and continue to see disasters do happen. Libraries are a visible community resource. Projects such as this one which help to raise awareness and assist participant planning before a disaster happens are essential.

Managing Emerging Diseases and Disasters in India
Anjana Chattopadhyay, National Medical Library, India

Director, National Medical Library, India. M.Sc.,Ph.D. Diploma (French), Diploma (Computer Sci). Published 4 books (individual authorship) & 27 papers. Attended and presented paper in last 9th ICML in Brazil. Personal website: www.scientistindia.com. ERMED electronic journal coordinator: www.nmlermed.in.

Abstract:
Asia is the most disaster prone region in the world. As compared to other regions, Asia has highest incidence of natural disaster. Because of rapid environmental change due to over exploitation and indiscriminate use of natural resources, human being face challenges of many unexpected natural as well as man made disasters. Despite earnest control and prevention effort, emergence and re-mergence of diseases cause an important threat to public health causing millions of deaths every year. I order to meet these challenges every country is required to make effort to develop a well planned national strategy on disaster education, preparedness, planning and mitigation. Well framed academic courses as per local need are required to enhance professional skill and capability building among local people to handle disaster and epidemic of diseases in case of emergency. Many institutions have been developed in India to conduct management education and research courses on disaster mitigation and emergency health care. The article described the role of library in collection building and resource development of literature to provide strong support to academic curriculum. No research study can be conducted without the availability of sufficient quality literature, having collection of facts and figures related to the subject matter. The paper provided important print and online reference sources related to the subject matter.

Positioning Health Information Professionals to Manage Disaster Situations
Ana D Cleveland, University of North Texas, United States
Mrs Jodi L Philbrick, University of North Texas, United States
Mrs Tisha A Pipes, University of North Texas, United States

Ana D. Cleveland, PhD, Regents Professor and Director, Health Informatics Program, School of Library and Information Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA

Jodi L. Philbrick, MLS, Adjunct Faculty/PhD Candidate, Health Informatics Program, School of Library and Information Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA

Tisha A. Pipes, MLS, Adjunct Faculty/PhD Candidate, School of Library and Information Sciences, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, USA

Abstract:
Objectives: The increasing number of disaster situations has created a need for future health information professionals to be educated in the area of disaster management. The objective of the course was to prepare students to handle the complex needs in a wide range of disaster situations. Another objective was to develop a model course that could be incorporated in the curriculum of school of library and information sciences.

Setting: Library and information sciences faculty from two universities collaborated to develop a graduate course in disaster information management.

Participants: Graduate library and information sciences students, mainly specializing in the area of health informatics, enrolled in the course. Teaching faculty included library school faculty and a practicing librarian with a public health background. Experts in the field of disaster management participated in course lectures and online chats.

Methods: A three-credit hour semester course has been offered in the academic years 2006-2008. The course content included concepts and practical skills in information management in the context of disasters. Special focus was given to these areas:

• Information behaviors of populations (e.g. first responders and victims) during and after a disaster
• Resources and programs to meet the information needs of populations during and after a disaster
• Disaster planning for individuals, families, and libraries

Results: Over 50 graduate students enrolled in the course and reported that the course introduced them to concepts and skills useful to them as future health information professionals. The students rated the course very highly in their evaluations.