Challenges to Libraries During a Health Crisis and a Way Forward to Deal With These Challenges

Abstract

COVID-19 put approximately all countries on lockdown. Libraries, whether they are public or private, also face closure. Through these closings, libraries remain to deliver facilities to their people in this perplexing period. So, this chapter discussed the challenges that libraries faced during this global health crisis and also discussed the possible applications that are helpful in these challenges. Data will be primary data used for empirical investigations and collected from public libraries of Pakistan. The chapter gives the empirical results or finding on the challenges (libraries closure, social distancing, handling material, and lack of research) and helpful applications like digital service, delivery services, exerted personnel, and online article requests for libraries. This chapter suggested applying quarantine strategies on returned books policy and implementing plans to offer remote services for example e-lending, e-learning, or support to remote teaching.