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.

1. Role of Libraries in emergency context: The case of the 2010
Earthquake and Tsunami in Chile
The Urgency of Reading
October 11th, 2013
Paris, France
Maria Garrido & Beth Patin
In collaboration with Angelica Celedón y Andrea Pequeño (ATACH)

2. GO WITH THE FLOW
Motivation
2010 Chilean Earthquake
& Tsunami Case Study
Themes and Trends
Directions for the Future
2

3. RESEARCH GOALS
•
What roles did libraries
play during this crisis?
•
What strategies were
implemented to foster
communication and
information sharing for
people in affected areas?
•
Are there common
elements across the
public access venues
which would facilitate
appropriate response in
the future?
3

4. FEBRUARY 27, 2010: THE MAULE EARTHQUAKE
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5. 5

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9. DIFFERENT ROLES LIBRARIES PLAY
1. Changing information and communication
needs
2. Shifting services/shifting roles
3. Transformation of Community Space
9

10. CHANGING INFORMATION NEEDS | SHIFTING LIBRARY SERVICES
THE TECHNOLOGY COMPONENT
• Locating & interacting with
family and friends
• Downloading/Filling
government forms
• Checking updates about
conditions of the affected
region.
• Locating information on the
status of their homes and
work places
THE SOCIAL COMPONENT
• Creating & distributing
preparedness information
• Establishing emergency
operations centers
• Providing physical aid (food,
water, tarps, shelter)
• Assisting with completion of
government forms
• Cleaning up the damage
after the disaster.

11. CHANGING INFORMATION NEEDS
1. Safety & Welfare (I’m okay, Are you okay)
2. Access to basic needs (food, water, shelter, etc.)
Citizens in Chile locating family members | Mobile Telecenter
Source: CDI Europe

12. CHANGING INFORMATION NEEDS
3. Filling out government forms and insurance claims
Astrodome Library after Hurricane Katrina
Source: Beth Patin

16. This research was made possible by Microsoft and the Global Impact Study, a
project co-funded by Canada’s International Development Research Centre
(IDRC) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Maria Garrido
Research Assistant Professor
migarrid@uw.edu
@mariaigarrido
Asociación de Telecentros Activos de Chile (ATACH)
www.atach.cl
(56 2) 89 15 261
Twitter: @atach_chile
Beth Patin
PhD Student
bethp@uw.edu
Technology & Social Change Group
University of Washington Information School
tascha.uw.edu
+1.206.616.9101
Twitter: @taschagroup