Echoes down the corridor. Experiences and perspectives of library and information science education (LISE) during COVID-19 through an African lens

Abstract

PurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in enormous challenges, but also presented opportunities that have notable implications for the future. The aim of this paper is to explore and discuss the experiences, perspectives, challenges and opportunities of Library and Information Science Educators (LISE) during the pandemic. The aim is articulated in the following three research questions: How is the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by LISE and in research? What are the perceptions formed during the period? And what are the challenges and opportunities?Design/methodology/approachThis is an interpretivist qualitative study informed by disaster management theories. The study involved the content analysis of existing literature with a focus on COVID-19 and higher education, particularly LISE, in conjunction with an open-ended email questionnaire that was sent to selected LIS educators/faculty/staff from major LIS Schools from eight sub-Saharan African countries. The author used personal experiences and observation to supplement the data and the interpretation.FindingsResults show more similarities than differences in how the COVID-19 pandemic is experienced and perceived, as well as the challenges and opportunities that it brings to the sector. As a whole, political factors are most pronounced, meaning that administration and decision-making need more attention in the sector. Also notable is that opportunities are mostly linked to technological factors, which will determine the “new normal” for LISE in the future. Almost all the narratives focused on the middle level of (during) the disaster life cycle, which is understandable as the complete cycle of the disaster is yet to come, likely when COVID-19 ceases to be a threat.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample was small, as related studies focus more on COVID-19 and higher education, with hardly any focusing on LISE. The COVID-19 pandemic has not ended, so the disaster management life cycle cannot be fully exploited. Furthermore, the author’s categorization of responses within PEST was largely judgmental.Practical implicationsNew research, teaching and learning developmental paths have been created for LISE. The study provides practical reflection on the effects of COVID-19 on the sector and HEIs that can inform discourse and responses to the pandemic.Originality/valueThe study explores a new research domain in LISE and due to limited research in the domain brings together important voices/narratives – based on their experiences – of LIS educators in Africa on the research area. Further, it proposes the future of LISE under COVID-19 within the 4IR framework.

Transformation of libraries during Covid-19 pandemic: A systematic review

“…), 14 Temiz & Salelkar, 2020 Discouraging unnecessary visits, reorganizing the library services, video tutorials, introduced new services, collaboration and changes in the regulations Availability of information, remote accessibility of resources, collaboration with other actors, increased use of existing services, motivation and support to practice social distancing phone, email, chat support, video tutorials 15 Mehta & Wang, 2020 library staff anxiety, Working from home issues/lack of required infrastructure at home, Lack of training and preparedness, Negative emotional feelings (such as isolation, anxiety, uncertainty and stress), Telecommuting, Honing online presence, Virtual reference services e.g. LibChat, Information literacy online guide, promotion of e-resources, Open educational resources, Digital repository, Increase the awareness of public health and hygiene, Leverage technologies to promote digital library services, Innovative policies and practices social media, email and online public announcement platforms 16 Ocholla, 2021 Secure connectivity challenges, Social distancing culturally challenging, Limited mentorship/consultations, Poor technology and infrastructure, Infodemic/misinformation rise, IT knowledge and skills gaps Growing self-learning, Increased creativity, Changes/transformation/innovation, New skills development opportunities, Digitization of libraries resources 17 Chigwada, 2021 Policies and procedural issues, Financial and infrastructural challenges, Lack of teleworking culture, Teleworking, New protocols and procedures, Maintain social distancing, Discourage fake news, Increase accessibility of library resources, Increase e-learning platforms Whatsapp, Live chat, Facebook, and Skype 18 Gotschall et al, 2021 Connectivity issues, Planning and policy issues, Technology frustrations and failures, Communication and engagement challenges, Up-gradation of library website, New and innovative ways of working, User online services (video conferencing), Seamless access to library resources, Wellness weekly email interaction (containing learning a new language with Mango, educational baby animal videos, virtual National Park tours, meditation apps, coloring apps, music therapy, a video tour of artwork hanging in the library space, and a video of crowd-sourced pet photos), Library virtual tours/orientation, Learning new communication platforms Email, Microsoft Office, Zoom, Slack and Citrix Client 19 Fasae et al, 2021 Taking safety measures, awareness campaign through posters and short speeches, regular communication ...…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the creative industries: A literature review and future research agenda

“…Since the early 1980s researchers ( Staw et al, 1981 , Meyer, 1982 ) investigated how organisations respond to external shocks using resilience theory. More recent studies on resilience used crisis management (Ratten, 2020a, 2020b, 2020c), disaster management ( Ocholla, 2021 ) and knowledge management (Saide and Sheng, 2020) theories to explain how firms deal with crises and environmental shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, we noticed the limited use of organisational resilience theory with regard to the creative industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…There are many opportunities to undertake research based on survey and multiple case study methods using primary data. Previous studies used mostly case-study analysis with small groups ( Gu et al, 2020 , Temiz and Salelkar, 2020 , Raimo et al, 2021 ), content analysis ( Young, 2020 , Ocholla, 2021 ), or review of the literature or government programmes ( Gabryelczyk, 2020 , Dümcke, 2021 , Verma and Gustafsson, 2020 ). The samples used in the reviewed literature were small, which restricted the generalisation of the results.…”

“…This type of digital library model attempts to replace traditional library services during lockdown ( Machovec, 2020 ). The readiness of libraries for this crisis has also been examined ( Botherway, 2020 , Carbery et al, 2020 ; Guo et al, 2020; Harris, 2021 , Koulouris et al, 2020 , Machovec, 2020 , Ocholla, 2021 , Peruginelli et al, 2021 , Pokorná et al, 2020 ). Libraries have demonstrated strong resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic along with the potential to grow by attracting more readers.…”

Community Resilience Through Diversity

“…Social and economic factors within countries also affected users of libraries, for example in Jaeger & Blaabaek's (2020) study of inequalities in library use during COVID-19. The pivot has also obviously affected Library and Information Science educators, providing both challenges and opportunities (e.g., Ocholla, 2021), and more generally brought issues of open access, electronic delivery and workforce skills into sharp focus (e.g., Research Libraries UK, 2020). Panels What are the strengths of communities that have supported resilience among our teaching and research activities?…”