Disaster Preparedness in Sri Lankan University Libraries: Before COVID-19

COVID-19 impact on the Chinese top academic libraries: Libraries' response to space, collection and services

“…The following are the reflections on what can be considered for development now and in the future based on findings and previous studies, the authors recommend that libraries (1) create comprehensive disaster planning and emergency preparedness in cooperation with libraries around the world ( Kehnemuyi, 2021 ; Wijayasundara, 2021 ); (2) implement sustainable, permanent changes to library services and operations ( Heady et al, 2021 ; Runyon & Steffy, 2021 ); (3) embrace digital tools and technologies like enhance remote access infrastructure and digital skills, intentionally integrate more digital resources into the collection and more virtual services into the workflow; (4) develop a unique repository collection that can archive and preserve the practices, thoughts, events and literatures of experiencing the unprecedented situation around COVID-19 and previous disasters where future generations can learn from past generations ( Farne et al, 2021 ; Mehta & Wang, 2020 ), and finally, (5) develop emergency management of the “new normal” agenda for librarianship both as part of their course requirements and as compulsory industrial training among Library and Information Science undergraduates that prepares them for becoming library and information professionals. As Heady et al (2021) discuss, rather than a return to a pre-pandemic normal operating procedure, this can be a time to innovate and create a new normal that positions academic libraries to better weather future storms.…”

“…With the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, in the last two years, there has been an increasing body of research on academic libraries' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The literature shows that the experiences of academic libraries centered on the transition from physical to online delivery of information services, ensuring uninterrupted library services (e.g., Hinchliffe and Wolff-Eisenberg, 2020 , Hinchliffe and Wolff-Eisenberg, 2020 ; Wijayasundara, 2021 ). During the COVID-19 pandemic situation, academic libraries have taken actions to provide resources, services, and programmes in innovative ways, such as moving their services online and providing remote access to digital resources, delivering virtual reference services (i.e., automatic pop-up window, asking a librarian through website and social media) ( Abubakar, 2021 ), offering zero-contact checkout service ( Guo et al, 2020 ), supporting mental health and well-being ( Bladek, 2021 ; Cox & Brewster, 2020 ), and against misinformation/fake news ( Bangani, 2021 ).…”

When a disaster strikes: Are libraries in the Philippines ready?

“…Similarly, community libraries in South Africa’s North West Province seldom prioritize disaster preparedness, with librarians mistakenly believing that libraries are immune to disasters and that disaster preparedness is not their responsibility (Chizwina and Ngulube, 2021). Likewise, a disaster management plan is also absent among the majority of academic libraries in south-eastern Nigeria (Chiderah and Iroeze, 2021) and Sri Lanka (Wijayasundara, 2021). Although libraries are prepared to handle fire disasters and virus attacks in Nigeria, they are mostly unprepared for other types of disaster due to financial constraints (Ilo et al, 2018).…”

Layanan Perpustakaan Pasca Covid-19 di Perpustakaan Pusat dan Fakultas Peternakan Universitas Gadjah Mada

“…Merebaknya Pandemi COVID-19 beberapa tahun terakhir berdampak pada peningkatan penelitian tentang tanggapan perpustakaan perguruan tinggi terhadap Pandemi COVID-19. Literatur menunjukkan bahwa pengalaman perpustakaan perguruan tinggi berpusat pada transisi dari layanan informasi fisik menuju layanan informasi online untuk memastikan layanan perpustakaan tidak terputus (Wijayasundara, 2021). Selama situasi pandemi, perpustakaan perguruan tinggi telah mengambil tindakan untuk menyediakan sumber daya, layanan, dan program dengan cara yang inovatif, seperti memindahkan layanan offline ke cara online dan menyediakan akses jarak jauh ke sumber daya digital (Abubakar, 2021).…”

“…Gambar 2 menunjukkan transisi layanan perpustakaan sebelum, masa, dan sesudah Pandemi COVID-19 di Perpustakaan UGM dan Perpustakaan Fakultas Peternakan UGM. Refleksi yang dapat dipertimbangkan untuk pengembangan perpustakaan sekarang ke arah masa depan berdasarkan temuan dan penelitian sebelumnya, meliputi: 1) membuat perencanaan bencana dan kesiapsiagaan yang komprehensif bekerja sama dengan perpustakaan di seluruh dunia (Wijayasundara, 2021), 2) menerapkan perubahan permanen dan berkelanjutan pada layanan dan operasi perpustakaan (Heady et al, 2021), 3) memanfaatkan teknologi digital seperti meningkatkan infrastruktur akses jarak jauh dan keterampilan digital, dengan segera mengintegrasikan lebih banyak sumber daya digital ke dalam koleksi dan lebih banyak layanan virtual ke dalam alur kerja, 4) mengembangkan koleksi repositori unik yang dapat mengarsipkan dan melestarikan dokumen lapangan, pemikiran, peristiwa, dan literatur dari pengalaman situasi yang belum pernah terjadi sebelumnya seputar COVID-19 dan bencana sebelumnya di mana generasi mendatang dapat belajar dari generasi sebelumnya dan akhirnya, 5) mengembangkan manajemen darurat agenda "normal baru" untuk kepustakawanan baik sebagai bagian dari persyaratan kursus dan sebagai pelatihan industri wajib di antara perpustakaan dan pustakawan.…”