Libraries as Partners for Emergency Preparedness and Response in Times of Crisis

Libraries as Partners for Emergency Preparedness and Response in Times of Crisis

Libraries as Partners for Emergency Preparedness in Times of Crisis is a two-year project (Aug. 2023-Jul. 2025) funded via the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grants for Libraries program [LG-254819-OLS-23]. It investigates multi-type libraries’ roles during community-wide crises (e.g., severe weather, wildfires, public health emergencies) and partnerships with emergency response organizations such as the fire service, emergency medical services, and others. Libraries have a history of responding to community emergencies and are recognized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an essential social service. However, traditional emergency organizations often do not view libraries as emergency response partners or are unaware of the services that libraries can provide during emergencies. As communities increasingly face crises, particularly due to climate change, it is crucial to understand how libraries can partner with emergency organizations for increased community safety and resiliency. This project aims to promote the emergency roles of libraries to emergency organizations, increase libraries’ ability to respond to community-wide crises, and pave the way for future study of library-emergency partnerships. The project’s two years were split between an initial survey of Illinois multi-type libraries and Community Engagement Roundtables to bring the conversation to the national level.

Ruan, Lian

Habing, Kelda

Chinese American Librarians Association

2025-06-29

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