Building Resilience and Safe Guiding Strategies for University Libraries in Disaster-Prone Areas A Study of Hazara Region, Pakistan Section Articles

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Published Mar 6, 2026
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Vol. 27 (2025)

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Saima Hanif
Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Peshawar, Pakistan
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4843-2502
Muhammad Awais
Skyline Institute of Nursing and Health Sciences, Mansehra, Pakistan

Abstract

University libraries in disaster-prone areas are increasingly at risk from natural and man-made disasters, such as earthquakes, floods, fires, and technology meltdowns, which can disrupt library services and potentially lead to the loss of valuable materials. The Hazara region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, is particularly vulnerable to such disasters. However, the level of disaster preparedness of libraries in this region has not been extensively studied. This research aims to examine the existing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery protocols in public and private university libraries across the Hazara region. The study population comprised the library staff of all five universities in the region. Qualitative research and purposive sampling methods were utilized. 15 semi-structured interviews were conducted with library staff. The thematic analysis of the qualitative data highlighted several principal themes. The study results suggest the need for creating tailored disaster management policies. It is recommended that international best practices be adapted to the local context. This will guarantee the long-term effectiveness and sustainability of the preparedness strategies implemented. Furthermore, these tailored disaster management policies should weave disaster risk reduction into the fabric of library planning and implement ongoing training programs for staff. This research fills a literature gap and offers practical, evidence-based approaches to making libraries more resilient in areas frequently hit by disasters.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Hanif, S., & Awais, M. (2026). Building Resilience and Safe Guiding Strategies for University Libraries in Disaster-Prone Areas: A Study of Hazara Region, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Information Management and Libraries, 27, 69–89. Retrieved from https://pjiml.pu.edu.pk/jo/index.php/pjiml/article/view/207

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