Earthquake effects on educational institutions and libraries of Azad Kashmir: An appraisal

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of earthquakes on libraries and educational institutions in the region of Azad Kashmir in Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper is based on a review of the literature published in the newspapers, face‐to‐face and telephonic interviews and donor reports from the area. Inputs (people, knowledge, material, capital and finance), processes, outputs and feedback mechanism of libraries in Kashmir are described.

Practical implications

The barriers to implementing the strategies offered in this paper are essentially practical: resource constraints and related social or governmental factors. The paper suggests to strictly follow the building codes prescribed by the international standard bodies. The paper also suggests to strictly monitor the construction of the educational institutions and libraries and to control the corruption involved in contracting out the tenders, etc. This study attempts to highlight the importance of disaster management and training during such kind of disasters and preservation strategies for libraries.

Originality/value

The paper is useful not only to understand what strategies should be adopted during such kind of disasters but also to review the picture of the state of libraries and educational institutions post earthquake in Pakistan. The paper would be very useful to the Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the policy makers in the education department while implementing the building codes, planning disaster management strategies and the library staff in the affected areas.

Citation

Shaheen, M.A. (2008), "Earthquake effects on educational institutions and libraries of Azad Kashmir: An appraisal", Library Review, Vol. 57 No. 6, pp. 449-456. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530810886724