Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine the perception of librarians on the role of public libraries related to disasters. For this purpose, the study conducted an online survey for librarian. The survey is composed of 34 questions, including the questions asking librarians' perceptions about the roles of public libraries related to the disasters derived from literature review. The research results are as follows; First, although librarians were not well aware of the roles of public libraries related to disasters, they generally supported the necessity of the role and evaluated the benefits of the role highly. Second, librarians recognized the necessity of the role of the library in the following order of importance; psycho-emotional support for citizens who have experienced disasters; cooperation with disaster support agencies; disaster shelter; disaster information service; archiving disaster experiences of residents; outreach services; community support. Third, librarians recognized that psycho-emotional support services for residents suffering from disasters were the most necessary and beneficial to residents. Fourth, librarians' perceptions of disaster-related library roles changed based on their position and the type of library they belong to. On the basis of these results, the research discussed and suggested what roles each public library should play and what services it should plan, and how it should be implemented during the disaster.