Perspectives: Revisited 2021-2

In March 2020 much of the world began to lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Libraries began to close their doors and send their employees home to combat the spread of the virus. This unprecedented event posed a variety of logistical and managerial challenges as libraries struggled to provide resources and services to their constituents. Many libraries have begun to report on their activities after the first major lockdown and reopening, and it is likely that libraries will continue to share their responses to the continuing situation. This is all extremely valuable to determine best practices and to identify innovative thinking and solutions. In addition to case studies for specific libraries, there has been an increase in research on how librarians and libraries are handling the varied issues of the pandemic, including how research is conducted, what research is being published, and how to overcome misinformation.

We look at a wide array of articles that relate to COVID-19 either from an investigative research perspective or from a case study perspective. Several journals were specifically focused on providing a venue for pandemic-related articles with the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions and Alexandria: The Journal of National and International Library and Information Issues being particularly prolific in publishing these types of articles. This article will be part one of a two-part focus on the initial articles published on COVID-19.

In An Investigation of Emerging COVID-19 Research Trends and Future Implications for LIS Field: A Bibliometric Mapping and Visualization, Sheikh, Siddique, and the other authors have identified a major gap in the literature on whether there has been adequate research into COVID-19 and related viruses in LIS journals. They conducted a study to identify the most influential LIS-COVID research and the scope of LIS research related to COVID. They discuss LIS literature on SARS, MERS-CoV, and COVID, as well as conducting text-mining to identify focus areas of COVID research. Their quantitative analysis includes consideration on the implications within LIS and for future research directions. The researchers used Scopus to identify the most productive journals, most productive authors, authorship pattern, top highly cited articles, and country citations to present a picture of the current state of research on LIS-related COVID research. They then conducted a co-word occurrence analysis to organize the research articles under 5 themes and 11 sub-themes. The 5 themes focused on Libraries and services, Library management, Libraries and education, Libraries and technology, and Libraries and information society to show a range of concerns and challenges that libraries have faced during the pandemic. The researchers provided many insights into the publishing of COVID-related research and concluded that a range of research has been published within LIS journals.

The study by Adomi and Oyovwe-Tinuoye on COVID-19 information seeking and utilization focused on the behaviors and practices of LIS professionals in Nigeria provided insights into research habits. Key objectives included the information needs, sources used, criteria used to evaluate information, the purposes, and the barriers to COVID-19 information by LIS professionals. The study provided several tables worth of data from the survey on each of the key objectives. Numerous insights are presented to enable LIS professionals in Nigeria to get accurate and timely information on COVID-19. They will be able to compare their own practices to others as well as where to source reliable information on COVID-19.

During the COVID lockdown, library staff were sent home with the challenge around how and what projects and services to continue for the library and its users. The Marion Library at the University of Dayton (OH) were confronted with student employees still interested in working remotely during the lockdown. Essential tasks were effectively eliminated but two projects were identified that could be continued remotely. The projects involved collection management issues surrounding a special book collection and an audio cassette digitization collection. It was particularly interesting that the students requested to remain involved and working during the lockdown, showing their dedication to the library and that they still could provide support in such a stressful situation.

Jing Zhou, in the journal Information Development, conducted a study exploring how academic libraries satisfy the needs of their users in unexpected situations. The emphasis was on the new demands for educational materials during a pandemic and to identify opportunities for libraries by digital technology. The survey consisted of a comparison between libraries in China and Italy. The comparison involved 137 Chinese and 70 Italian libraries to determine what paths they took during the pandemic and how these decisions were impacted by local conditions. Both groups of libraries found solutions to deliver resources and services; however, underlying infrastructure issues had significant impacts on the decisions that were made. Libraries in China were able to harness strong digital technologies that had been developed to deliver services and resources. While in Italy with a less robust technological infrastructure, the solution was to rely on the delivery of print materials to support the educational needs. As the authors explain, this difference is due to governmental policy choices and national mentality. Both countries struggled to deal with the insufficient number of digitized educational materials. As the lockdown forced more instruction to be presented online this became a larger problem. The outcome from this pressure to adapt to the pandemic restrictions was an overall improvement in the technology infrastructure in both countries. Italy continues to lag behind in overall development as the libraries rely heavily on print materials, but they have made strides to overcome some of these challenges due to the pandemic.

A related article by Zhou Xin considers how public libraries in China responded to the pandemic. As lockdowns were implemented, libraries responded by transferring many services online for the first time. Public libraries also provided a variety of other services including reading therapy, provision of quality digital resources and reliable information, and support to scientific researchers. Specifically in Wuhan, the district libraries provided books to the hospitals, and set up “reading corners” to support patients and medical staff. Similar to many other libraries around the globe, the public libraries in China implemented increased provision of online reading materials and book lending, as well as collecting digital resources on COVID-19.

The National Library of China and the provincial public libraries collaborated with database providers to summarize and sort resources related to the pandemic. They integrated digital resources, self-built and commercial databases, and open-access repositories to provide a diversified collection to readers. Since the role of public libraries is to disseminate knowledge and provide reliable information, they endeavoured to build users’ information literacy through online quizzes on popular social media tools to increase the general population’s knowledge of COVID-19.

In addition to developing online library services, a concerted effort was made to collect documents across the country on how the pandemic was dealt with; including interviews with those who experienced or witnessed the pandemic. Technology played a key role throughout the pandemic as the author highlights several key initiatives and recommends future directions that libraries can pursue. These include the pressure to transform from a digital library to a smart library, engaging with technologies like blockchain to accelerate digital construction and open access, to solve digital copyright challenges, and to leverage new media options more effectively for publicity and marketing. Libraries must put effort into continuous improvements on information services.

Dissemination of information was crucial throughout the pandemic, as misinformation and general ignorance of health issues moved to the forefront of everyone’s agenda. Omeluzor, Nwaomah, and Molokwu conducted a descriptive survey of librarians in Nigeria to determine how librarians responded to their patrons’ needs through SDI (Selective Dissemination of Information) services. The survey collected information on the types of information materials and sources disseminated and the media/tools used to disseminate information. The authors found that most libraries were caught by surprise with no preparation or structures to mitigate the sudden lockdown. Libraries quickly began to disseminate information on how to curb the spread, related government decisions and personal hygiene by using social media and posters. Further analysis is presented on the hindrances to effectively disseminating information that should be considered by management in the future.

A unique collection of libraries in Quebec are the parliamentary libraries of the National Assembly of Quebec which are explored by Menard on how they handled the pandemic lockdown. The National Assembly created a committee to manage the crisis, as the Libraries adapted Microsoft Teams to continue to provide online assistance and training to patrons. Particularly interesting was the teamwork and collaboration between the librarians and the research analysts as the former provided information monitoring to aid in the development of research reports. Several processes and tools were created to provide an efficient and sustainable level of service. The librarians found that the sustained virtual contact improved overall collaboration between employees and across departments.

The University of Calgary leveraged their expertise in digital initiatives to support the variety of clientele they serve during the lockdown. Library leadership created interdepartmental teams to “create transformative and indispensable services” for the different user groups. Uniquely interesting was the myLibrarian personal librarian program launched during the pandemic. It provides a way to connect to a librarian or library staff based on the student’s personal background. This created a much more personalized level of service relevant to the student’s needs and background to better support them in their research endeavours and in their personal management of the pandemic stresses. Additionally, 360-degree virtual tours were created to introduce new users to library spaces, an extended chat service was also provided for the fall semester, and an increase in digital library instruction and way-finding was developed to provide increased support.

The resiliency and innovation is apparent from libraries and librarians when confronted with the myriad of challenges during the pandemic. This selection of articles is valuable to any other library to gain an understanding of the variety of responses, as well as the many layers of research conducted throughout the first 6–8 months of the pandemic. The follow-up article will delve into more case studies to shed further light on the services and resources provided during the COVID pandemic.

An investigation of emerging COVID-19 research trends and future implications for LIS field: A bibliometric mapping and visualization. Sheikh, Arslan; Siddique, Nadeem; Qutab, Saima; Khan, Muhammad Ajmal; and Mahmood, Khalid. Journal of Librarianship and Information ScienceI. First Published Online 2021, Oct. 21. https://doi.org/10.1177/09610006211053043

COVID-19 information seeking and utilization among library and information science professionals in Nigeria. Adomi, Esharenana E; and Oyovwe-Tinuoye, Gloria O. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. First Published Online 2021, Aug. 4. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352211031587

Retaining Opportunities, Completing Key Projects with Remote Student Employees During COVID-19. Handley, Henry; and Harris, Kayla. Collections: A Journal for Museum and Archives Professionals. 2021. Vol. 17: 2, p128-136. https://doi.org/10.1177/1550190620980732

The role of libraries in distance learning during COVID-19. Zhou, Jing. Information Development. First Published Online 2021, Mar. 18. https://doi.org/10.1177/02666669211001502

Practices and thinking of public libraries in China during COVID-19. Zhou, Xin. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. First Published Online 2021, Oct. 21. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352211037700

Dissemination of information in the COVID-19 era in university libraries in Nigeria. Omeluzor, Saturday U.; Nwaomah, Angela Ewhonne; and Molokwu, Ugochi Esther. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. First Published Online 2021, Aug 27. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352211037700

Challenges and opportunities for parliamentary libraries during COVID-19: A case study of the National Assembly of Quebec Library. Menard, Carolyne. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. First Published Online 2021, Jun. 24. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352211023079

Expanding digital academic library and archive services at the University of Calgary in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Murphy, James E.; Lewis, Carla J., McKillop, Christena A., and Stoeckle, Marc. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. First Published Online 2021, Aug. 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/03400352211023067