Authors : Sayuni Harun Ntullo

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yrce3n6u

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/9rftzmjn

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan1193

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : The world is becoming subject to diverse risks due to environmental and human-based hazards that Libraries, archives, and museums (LAMs) are more exposed to than before. Proactive risk management is necessary because the emergencies and disasters are unpredictable. The four main pillars of disaster management preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery need to be well cooked, planned properly and strictly carried out before any incidence occurs. The first step which is indispensable in a healthy Risk Management System in library, archive, and museums (in general, all of them are regarded as information and documentation centers) is to define the hazards along with the assessment of the level of their threat, and only after that, it is recommended to set the priorities. Continuous improvement is one of the key dimensions of the system upholding its effectiveness over the years, where a cyclical process under the influence of Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) model plays a central role. Deliberate risk analysis must consider among others: the frequency and severity and frequency of possible disasters; the quantity and contents of collections and materials; the staff and users; structural and non-structural characteristics of the building; geological perimeters of the location; and existence of harmful facilities in the adjacent landscape. These risks can only be tackled by developing specific plans that should be to cope with both short-term, medium-term and long- term goals with regards to every risk identified. This paper will emphasize the importance of thorough risk analysis and assessment to be carried out as required by the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) rules especially as relevant to LAMs. An example of a risk analysis carried out using risk matrix methodology of 5x5 is given to give a view of how such analyses can be practically performed.

Keywords : Cultural Heritage Risk Management, RiskAnalysis Methods, Risk Monitoring, Information and Documentation Management.

References :

1. Abdul-Wahab, S. A. (2011). Sick building syndrome in educational institutions: A case of Sultan
2. Qaboos University library. Environmental Health Research Journal, 21(3), 201-213.
3. British Columbia Museums Association. (2024). Risk management best practices module. BCMA.
4. British Museum. (2023). Risk management policy. British Museum Publications.
5. CENL (Conference of European National Librarians). (2024). Risk management in national libraries: Guidelines for assessing and mitigating risks. https://www.cenl.org/publications/
6. Dall’Armi, V., Magni, R., & Petrelli, D. (2022). Risk assessment strategies for heritage institutions: Combining technical methods and organizational behavior. Journal of Cultural
7. Dowlin, K. E. (2004). Architectural innovation and library building design. In S. Sharma & R.
8. Patel (Eds.), Contemporary issues in academic libraries (pp. 72–89). Emerald Publishing.
9. Getty Conservation Institute. (2022). Emergency preparedness and response planning for cultural institutions. https://www.getty.edu/conservation
10. Hall, M., & Duckles, B. (2024). Best practices in risk management for museums and archives.
11. Canadian Heritage Press. Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 12(1), 45–61. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-03-2022-0035
12. ICOM (International Council of Museums). (2023). Museum risk assessment and disaster preparedness manual. ICOM.
13. ICOM. (2023). Museum emergency preparedness and response toolkit. International Council of Museums. https://icom.museum
14. IFLA. (2022). IFLA guidelines for disaster risk reduction in collections. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. https://www.ifla.org
15. IFLA. (2023). Core principles for collection preservation and conservation. https://www.ifla.org/publications
16. IFLA. (2023). Guidelines for disaster risk reduction and safeguarding cultural heritage.
17. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions.
18. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). (2022). Disaster
19. preparedness and risk mitigation in libraries. https://www.ifla.org/guidelines/disaster-preparedness
20. ISO 31000:2024. (2024). Risk management – Guidelines. International Organization for Standardization.
21. Ketzer, K., Marzo, G., & Pimlott, H. (2012). Digitization and risk: Preserving special collections.
22. Journal of Archival Science, 11(1–2), 33–47.
23. Michalski, S. (1992). Agent-based framework for museum deterioration. Canadian Conservation
24. Institute. (As cited in Walker, A. (2024). Modern environmental controls in heritage institutions).
25. Oketunji, I. (2014). Occupational health and safety in university libraries: A study in Nigeria.
26. Journal of Academic Library Safety, 6(1), 55–67.
27. Prideaux, B. (2007). Emergency and risk management in tourism and hospitality. Routledge.
28. Rivera, M. & Iliev, T. (2023). Advanced risk assessment models in museum environments:
29. Adopting Fine-Kinney and FMEA for preventive conservation. Museum Management and Curatorship, 38(2), 189–207.
30. https://doi.org/10.1080/09647775.2023.2185823
31. Senyah, Y., & Lamptey, B. L. (2011). Risk and safety assessment of library staff at KNUST.
32. African Journal of Library, Archives and Information Science, 21(2), 119–127.
33. Tan, M., & Lee, H. (2022). Contemporary risk analysis in cultural institutions: An integrated approach. Journal of Risk Studies, 9(4), 245–260.
34. UNDRR. (2022). Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030: Progress report 2022. United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. https://www.undrr.org
35. UNESCO. (2023). Building a culture of prevention in heritage institutions: Risk awareness and training modules. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/
36. UNESCO. (2023). Strategy for reducing risks at cultural heritage sites. United Nations
37. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesco.org
38. UNESCO. (2024). Disaster preparedness and risk mitigation for cultural heritage institutions.
39. UNESCO Publications.
40. UNESCO. (2024). Memory of the World Programme: Safeguarding documentary heritage. https://unesco.org/memory-of-the-world
41. Walker, A. (2024). Modern environmental controls in heritage institutions. Routledge.
42. Waller, R. (2005). Cultural property risk analysis model (CPRAM). Canadian Museum of Nature.