Library Websites During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mnzava, Ester Ernest; Katabalwa, Annajoyce S

doi:10.1177/09557490211058869

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 8 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Rafiq et al (2021) stated that significant barriers such as lack of budget, digital divide, low computer literacy skills, slow internet, inadequate online resources and web portal/library website impede libraries and LIS professionals in their shift from physical to digital mode. Mnzava and Katabalwa's (2021) study found that libraries in Tanzania used library websites that help LIS professionals to share updates and connect their library users with appropriate information resources and services during the pandemic. Furthermore, to maintain social distance in the workplace, library staff and users/patrons should be aware of the health protocols, for example, what they should do if they ill or unwell.…”

Section: Discussion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are library professionals overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic challenges in the current reality?

Begum

Habiba

2023

DLP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on library and information services (LIS) and how library professionals overcome the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic in the current reality. Design/methodology/approach This study used quantitative and qualitative methods to investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Bangladesh’s LIS professionals. A structured online questionnaire was designed for the purpose of a quantitative survey. The respondents of this study were LIS professionals in all categories of libraries (e.g. academic libraries, public libraries, special libraries and national library) in Bangladesh. A total of 106 responses from LIS professionals in Bangladesh were received. This study analyzed qualitative data using Braun and Clark’s technique for thematic coding. Researchers interviewed librarians in two phases (during the COVID-19 pandemic and after COVID-19) about how libraries cope up with the COVID crisis. The descriptive findings were examined using diverse descriptive statistics (i.e. frequency numbers and percentages), and for examining the significant differences among demographics’ information regarding challenges faced by LIS professionals, Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were conducted. The qualitative responses were carefully analyzed for familiarizing, coding and theme generation. Findings The result showed that most LIS professionals (i.e. 46.2% and 43.4%) had faced difficulties in accessing e-resources from home and had failed to maintain balance between work and personal life and to offer remote library services. The LIS professionals mostly used Facebook Messenger and Zoom to communicate with their colleagues and users. Furthermore, many LIS professionals (50.0%) secured their health and safety, adopted hygienic procedures at their workstations and provided virtual reference services. The qualitative findings show that though some libraries have faced challenges in providing online sources and services due to the absence of authority interest, budget scarcity and inadequate information and communication technology infrastructure, some libraries took the initiative to establish library institutional repository and make it available for users from home. Research limitations/implications The present study only concentrated on the staff and their actions during and after the pandemic, which was mentioned as a limitation. It would be more effective if the study also considered the user’s viewpoint. The researchers hope that this study will help LIS professionals to support and provide digital and innovative service initiatives in their organization. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first of its kind study in Bangladesh where the staff of all types of libraries expressed their views on the problems they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the steps they took recently to overcome them.

show abstract

Section: Discussion and Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are library professionals overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic challenges in the current reality?

Begum

Habiba

2023

DLP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Delivering and utilising library services during the pandemic disease outbreak: challenges and coping strategies

Wilfred,

Mwantimwa

2024

Alexandria: The Journal of National and International Library a

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe shutdowns, quarantines, closures, cancellations, and other restrictive measures in different countries. Educational institutions such as universities, colleges, and schools were not immune to the devastating effects caused by the pandemic. Purpose The present study intended to explore challenges and coping strategies in maintaining access to and use of resources and services in academic libraries during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Research design To gain familiarity and acquire new insight into how Tanzania academic libraries managed their services during the COVID-19 pandemic exploratory research design was employed. A qualitative approach was mainly used to explore library staff and users’ opinions and experiences on library service provision during the pandemic outbreak. Data collection methods and analysis Focus group discussions (FGDs) and face-to-face semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Data collected through FGD and semi-structured interviews were transcribed and subjected to qualitative data analysis. In particular, thematic analysis was employed in analysing data based on assigned themes. Results Generally, the study reveals multiple challenges in delivering library services and resources and their coping strategies. However, most of the coping strategies put forward mainly focused into preventing the pandemic, rather than enhancing access to and use of library services and resources among the users. Conclusion and recommendations The study exposes challenges that affected the delivery and use of library services during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their coping strategies were known. Proposal to digitize the library collections, invest in the application of digital library solutions and innovations, build capacity in digital competencies among the library staff and users, and increase access and use of open and freely available resources and services appear to be sustainable coping strategies when a pandemic occurs.

show abstract

Library Websites During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 2 publications

References 8 publications

Are library professionals overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic challenges in the current reality?

Are library professionals overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic challenges in the current reality?

Delivering and utilising library services during the pandemic disease outbreak: challenges and coping strategies

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About