Building Better: How Libraries Can Be an Integral Part of Helping Their Communities Rebuild After Fires
![Project poster](/sites/default/files/capstone/2019/3894/Dowling_James_Building%20Better%20Poster.png)
Inspired by the Butte County Library (BCL)’s experience with the 2018 Camp Fire, we created ‘Building Better’, a resource website for fire survivor support planning. Most disaster recovery plans lack a survivor support component, so we researched the ways libraries can aid their communities in recovery. We surveyed Camp Fire survivors, interviewed BCL employees, attended library events, spoke with a disaster recovery expert, and researched other libraries’ responses to different types of natural disasters. Libraries can play a vital role in the recovery of their communities after disasters, and ‘Building Better’ can leave them better prepared to aid survivors.
Project sponsored by: Butte County Library
Project participants:
EJ Dowling
MLIS
Chelsea James
MLIS