Responding to the Camp Fire: a case study on an academic library's public services policy changes

Abstract

PurposeThis article provides a case study on changes to an academic library's public services policies in order to support a community undergoing the ramifications of a natural disaster.Design/methodology/approachThis paper describes a case study on how the Meriam Library at California State University, Chico responded to the 2018 Camp Fire by making changes to public services policies. A literature review of disaster response and planning materials is included.FindingsThis case study demonstrates the need for flexibility in public services policies when experiencing natural disasters, and provides examples of how academic libraries can respond to natural disasters in order to support surrounding communities. Many library disaster response plans and literature do not include information on continuity of public services, or how public services policies can/should be temporarily altered in response to a disaster.Practical implicationsThis article provides practical examples of how an academic library can implement changes to support a local community experiencing a disaster.Originality/valueThe public services response by Meriam Library offers lessons in supporting a community in the wake of a natural disaster. While articles detailing library responses to natural disasters are fairly ubiquitous, these primarily focus on salvaging collections. Few resources exist on how an academic library can ensure continuity of public services to support communities experiencing the aftermath of natural disasters, and this article is a contribution to that area of research.