Transformation of Academic Library Services in Coronavirus Pandemic Era: The New Normal Approach

Abstract

The world social frameworks have been trembled with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, irrespective of organization. The Covid-19 has fueled technology trends that continue to dominate daily life activities in various organisations and library services inclusive. Covid-19 has become a driving force that accelerates of technological adoption and usage in academic libraries. The adoption and use of ICTs for quality services delivery to clientele in academic libraries is germane especially in Covid-19 era. Libraries are saddled with responsibility to provide unrestricted access to information and resources at all times but libraries all over the world closed services to users due to Covid-19 pandemic. This paper examines transformation of academic library services towards information users’ satisfaction in Covid-19 era. The paper discusses the history of Covid-19 and activities of sections in the academic library in terms of collections, services, spaces and operations in pandemic period. The paper explores the emerging role of social media in academic libraries in Covid-19 era. In addition, the paper covers new normal approaches to personnel security, social distancing, and sanitation of collections. Among recommendations are: creating a perfect environment where humans and robots can work together, and upgrading of library websites to serve as a primary path of interaction for library users.

Keywords

• Academic library
• Coronavirus
• Library services

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