COVID-19 and Public Libraries: A Real Paradigm Shift

Abstract

We are witnessing global disruption at an unprecedented scale. COVID-19 has had a significant impact in the lives of individuals and families as the number of cases and deaths continues to rise around the world. Clearly there is no quick fix for this pandemic, which will continue to plague the world's population while scientists race to develop, test, and manufacture an effective vaccine. As our communities have been shut down the vast majority of public libraries around the world have closed. The shuttering of a public library has significant implications for any community, most of which are not understood by public decision makers. Public libraries are, in fact, one of the last free spaces where vulnerable populations can seek out computer and Internet access, daytime shelter from the streets, and de facto childcare centers among a host of other services libraries provide. People in a public library share everything from books, magazines, computers, furniture and rest rooms in an enclosed space, which may make maintaining social distancing difficult when libraries reopen .

Public libraries’ responses to a global pandemic: Bangladesh perspectives

“…Ocholla and Ocholla (2020) compare the current lockdown situation as a preparation for the fourth industrial revolution for library 4.0, as this crisis is an opportunity for libraries to embrace digital technology (Matthews, 2020). In such a situation, libraries can assist in exploring distance learning for schools and academics by providing them with access to a wide range of online resources, such as e-books, audiobooks, news sites, magazines and streaming videos (Ladan et al, 2020).…”

Researching Finnish library responses to Covid-19 digital literacy challenges through the employment of reflective practice

“…Library closures were followed by budget changes and staff relocations at a municipal level (Haasio and Kannasto, 2020: 9-11). Public libraries also reorganised themselves during the Covid-19 pandemic according to imposed budget measures, mirroring developments at an international level (Matthews, 2020;Ameen, 2021;Reid and Bloice, 2021;Dalmer and Griffin, 2022;Shin et al, 2022;McMenemy et al, 2022). Furthermore, libraries in bigger cities (with greater budgets, staff, and resources) such as the Helsinki metropolitan area were more agile in their response than those in rural areas (with less budgets, staff and resource).…”

The management of public libraries during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic literature review through PRISMA method

“…information resources, "caring boxes" and "family fun boxes") -Investments (e.g. electronic licenses and physical collections) -Health literacy, information literacy and content creation of medical reports -Use of participatory exploratory methods, e. (Matthews, 2020). Moreover, Fitzgerald (2020) suggests that the library services will become automated and digital through increased investments in digital resources and training.…”