The E.L. Quarantelli Resource Collection

The E.L. Quarantelli Resource Collection Reading Room will be closed March 16th-May 15th in support of the University of Delaware's COVID-19 response efforts. 

Research staff are available for reference inquiries during normal business hours at elq-resource@udel.edu. You can also search our collection and view our online holdings on our Research Tools page.

Now numbering more than 125,000 items, the E. L. Quarantelli Resource Collection is the world’s leading collection of disaster-related material. Comprised of archival holdings, published material, and disaster-related artifacts, the Collection is open to interested scholars and agencies involved in disaster research. 

This premier collection includes documents and publications not readily available elsewhere, and acquisition priorities include the collection of rare or otherwise unavailable items and documents, with a particular emphasis on the social and behavioral science aspects of disasters. The Center also maintains its own book, monograph, and report series.

Valerie Marlowe is Assistant Director for Archives and Collections at the Disaster Research Center. Her expertise in both disaster research and archival work emphasizes the importance of the E.L. Quarantelli Resource Collection for the disaster research and practice community. She brings a unique combination of experience: as a former responder with the American Red Cross and now in her research on collections of disaster-related materials, especially the archival and cultural heritage preservation of materials after the 9/11 attacks in New York City. In this role, Valerie continues to expand the scope and content of the E.L Quarantelli Resource Collection, data archive, and collections of disaster-related artifacts. She also acts as lead in strategic planning and oversight for the collection, which remains one of the premier repositories of disaster-related material in the world.

Melissa Shutz holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Baltimore in English with a concentration in Creative Writing. She, along with a few of her fellow cohort members, created and ran the literary magazine Artichoke Haircut and the accompanying reading series “You’re Allowed” out of Baltimore. Artichoke Haircut won “Best Little Magazine” from the City Paper.  Currently, she is studying at the University of Delaware to receive a second bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts. Her portfolio explores the boundaries between representation, realism and identity — or rather, how the identity of an object can affect representation. Her areas of interest include documentary photography, illustration and printmaking. At the DRC, she sits among a wealth of books, which is really the best place to be. 

Neisha Maharaj is a Food Science major at the University of Delaware, and an Undergraduate Assistant in the E.L. Quarantelli Resource Collection. In addition to her food science expertise, Neisha has a professional background in logistics and manufacturing. Neisha considers working at the Disaster Research Center a great learning experience and is excited to be on the team.

​Derick Pleasanton is a Mechanical Engineering major at the University of Delaware, and an Undergraduate Research Assistant in the E.L. Quarantelli Resource Collection. His tasks include updating and maintenance of library databases and assisting research staff with various projects. Derick graduated from Polytech High School.

​In honor and appreciation of her years of dedication to the field, the Disaster Research Center is pleased to announce the establishment of the Pat Young Award for Most Innovative Use of the E.L. Quarantelli Collection. Established for an initial term of 10 years, each year one award of $100 will be given to an individual who has used the E.L. Quarantelli collection in a way that demonstrates creativity, advancement to their discipline, or advancement to practice and community well-being. Awards will be given based on work conducted or newly completed in the calendar year. In some special circumstances, it may also be awarded for long-term and sustained use. More information about the award and the nomination process will be announced shortly, but gifts in support of this award or the E.L. Quarantelli collection in honor of Pat Young are welcomed.

​​​​​The E.L. Quarantelli Resource Collection at the Disaster Research Center is open to all researchers. For general inquiries related to the Collection or to schedule a visit, please email elq-resource@udel.edu.