Postgraduate Students' Utilization of Web-based Library and Information Services during Covid-19 Pandemic

This study examined the status and factors of postgraduate students' utilization of Web-based library and information services on output and outcome dimensions. During COVID-19, an online survey was conducted using stratified sampling, collecting 527 respondents from 20 Malaysian public universities. Library technology, support, and environment were the factors affecting WBLIS utilization. Each factor scored highly on usefulness, research support, and virtual space dimensions. Electronic databases were utilized heavily, and digital reference services were used the least. Most respondents' results, research skills and strategies improved with WBLIS utilization. Overall, the paper presents the descriptive findings to benefit academic libraries and universities.

Library and information services' reflections on emergency remote support and crisis-driven innovations during pandemic conditions

Crisis-driven innovation is needed to manage a scarcity in resources. The recent COVID-19 crisis exacerbated the prevailing digital exclusion in the education sector in particular. Sudden changes in otherwise stable higher education environments necessitated immediate and decisive innovation, particularly where education support services were concerned. This study reports on an academic library and information service's reflections on emergency strategies implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conceptualised through the lenses of existing digital exclusion frameworks and information poverty frameworks. The findings from the qualitative data gathered via focus group interviews emphasise the importance of emergency remote library and information services. The pandemic conditions and sudden remote service delivery model highlighted the prevailing socio-economic and socio-technical inequalities and exclusions among students. The value of the study lies in the reflections made on the institution-wide crisis-driven innovation strategy implemented, and the realisation that library and information services must offer active academic support. The study offers a library and information services model to prepare for future eventualities. © The Author(s) 2023.

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

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.

Preparedness of the Libraries to Address the Recent Pandemic A Case Study on 100 Top Academic Institutes of India

In an academic set up the ‘library' plays a pivotal role. It stores, analyses, interpret and disseminate information among the users to fulfil their information needs. It has been observed that recent technological advancement has revolutionised library services to a great extent. Now libraries are providing both physical as well as web-enabled library services to their users. In this context, library websites act as a major gateway in providing web-enabled library services. The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the physical mode of library services. However, to support the ongoing teaching and learning process, libraries need to continue their services despite the lockdown. Therefore, the present study seeks to find out whether academic libraries are ready and adequately equipped to perform basic services during this critical juncture. The present study was directed towards exploring the readiness among the academic libraries by assessing their websites based on selected evaluation criteria. Hence, in this study top, 100 NIRF ranked institutes websites were examined by adopting 30-point evaluation criteria. These criteria were selected from the extant literature. These criteria were grouped into 04 categories i.e., basic website information, resource discovery, availability of resources and reference services. The readiness index of each library was calculated based on the availability and non-availability of the said criteria. The findings of the study reveal that 64 per cent of the libraries have failed to secure their score of 50 per cent on predefined criteria. It was also found that the preparedness index is independent of NIRF ranking. Overall findings of the study make it clear that academic libraries need to improve and up to date their web-based services to play a proactive role in the present and post-pandemic situation.

Pursuing student success in the library: a case study in peer mentor program transition, training and engagement

PurposeThis article shares an academic library's transition from traditional reference services to a peer support model during a campus reopening post-COVID-19 closure. It examines the conception, implementation and implications of the Peer Mentor program amidst shifts in campus priorities, Library research and reference paradigms and the Library workforce, from the perspectives of library faculty and staff, alongside feedback from student workers.Design/methodology/approachThe article uses a case study approach to detail the Library's Peer Mentor Program by authors involved in various stages of the program's lifespan and discusses the beginnings, implementations and challenges of the program and introduces the unique curriculum used to train student Peer Mentors.FindingsThe authors chronicle their own experience after two semesters of the Peer Mentor program alongside qualitative feedback from the first cohort of Peer Mentors. The Peer Mentor feedback points to positive impacts in other academic pursuits and in gaining a greater understanding of the information landscape and the library field.Originality/valueThe case study presented is a valuable example for academic librarians considering beginning peer-to-peer learning models within their own research and reference services units, especially those who may be creating these peer learning networks in the wake of library service disruption or restructure (such as due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

Opportunity to Change the Role of Academic Libraries during a Pandemic: The Concept

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the entire human race's routine and put a temporary halt to global interactions. This epidemic has also had a negative influence on academic libraries. This is one of the most serious consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic for academic libraries, particularly at Malaysia's Institute of Teacher Training. It also, predictably, gives libraries the potential to shift their traditional role in offering services by utilizing the most up-to-date technologies. The purpose of this study was to show how academic libraries use social media platforms to deliver library services, highlighting the importance of strong and structured collaboration to reach customers during this epidemic. At the same time to increase users in the virtual world, promote library services and activities in a more engaging way. Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

The role of academic libraries and information specialists during times of health crises in Jordan: the COVID-19 pandemic case

Purpose>COVID-19 forced libraries and other institutions to either close their doors to users or change their services routines. At this time, the libraries should extend their efforts to meet the increasing demands of information services in terms of quantity and quality of information services. This study aims to explore the role and responsibilities of academic libraries during times of crisis from the staff perception in academic libraries in Jordan.Design/methodology/approach>A questionnaire was disseminated to 359 library staff who were working at the 10 public universities in Jordan;295 questionnaires were suitable to analyze, with a response rate of 82.2%.Findings>The results indicated the importance of increasing academic libraries – specifically academic libraries in Jordan – awareness about the vast and important role of libraries to support research and the public community by providing authentic information sources about the pandemic to increase public awareness about the pandemic, besides contributing to disseminating research related to the pandemic as well as producing related research. Libraries needed to adjust their collection and information services during the crisis as they looked for ways to support the users they serve. The results affirmed that access to information remains the social responsibility of librarians.Practical implications>The findings will provide insights for other academic libraries on how to react in a crisis and maintain its role as a reliable information source.Social implications>During the health pandemic, people needed support in terms of getting easy access to authentic and reliable information. Libraries hold a social responsibility to the local community, such as awareness campaigns, posting videos on health practices and hygiene on it websites and social media.Originality/value>This paper provides insights and practical solutions for academic libraries in response to global health pandemics. It will help academic libraries handle and cope with the challenges of providing distance library services over digital channels.

On Authenticity, Exhaustion, and Finding a Spark

With the COVID-19 pandemic as a backdrop, this personal essay examines the author’s relationship with authentic leadership and professional optimism. The author accounts their experience with burnout brought on by the ongoing pandemic and discusses activities and colleagues that have contributed to cultivating a renewed sense of purpose and hope. The author reflects on the implications of burnout and exhaustion for academic library managers leading teams through times of chaos and instability, and reflects on potential solutions for how those challenges can be mitigated. © 2022 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Post Covid-19: Expectations for Academic Library Collections, Remote Work, and Resource Description and Discovery Staffing

This paper discusses the results of a 2021 survey in which 402 academic library employees shared their expectations for post-pandemic collections, remote work arrangements, and staffing and hiring in cataloging, electronic resources, and metadata—areas involved in resource description and discovery work. Their responses indicate that, during the next several years, some pandemic trends are expected to continue in academic libraries including an acceleration of the trend to phase out physical resources for electronic ones as well as trends in remote work options. The majority of participants also expect staffing levels for cataloging, electronic resources, and metadata to remain the same with about one-fifth of participants expecting increases in electronic resources staffing and smaller numbers expecting permanent decreases in cataloging staffing due to lack of either funding or need. Moreover, participant responses shed light on expectations for the hiring of faculty and staff positions in cataloging, electronic resources, and metadata. In sum, the study provides insights into aspects of academic libraries which may be of interest to academic library administrators, graduate students and programs in library and information science, publishers and providers of educational content, and academic library employees working in related areas.

Student Experience and Satisfaction in Academic Libraries: A Comparative Study among Three Universities in Wuhan

In recent years, the spatial renovation of university libraries in various countries has focused on readers’ needs and followed the trend to develop learning spaces as a primary spatial form. In this study, we reviewed six spatial dimensions affecting student users’ learning experience. Specifically, we built a theory- and practice-based conceptual analysis framework to measure users’ satisfaction with recent spatial renovations at three university libraries in Wuhan, China. We used SPSS statistical software to conduct multiple linear regression analyses of spatial satisfaction. The findings show that five spatial dimensions significantly affect students’ satisfaction with library space, namely, service facility availability, quality of interior design, physical environment elements, spatial diversity, and learning space controllability. Service facility availability is the most critical factor affecting spatial satisfaction. In this study, we present empirical, evidence-based space elements that enhance user satisfaction with library spaces, and provide targeted design suggestions for future library space renovation and the optimization of space allocation and expansion of space services at university libraries in China.

Library staff support with Fourth Industrial Revolution's application to provide information resources to remote clients during the COVID-19 library services

Purpose>The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have challenged the academic libraries system with a paradigm shift that has never been experienced before. This article highlights how the library staff offered support with the 4IR to the remote during the COVID-19 era;to ensure that the provision of information resources does not halt because of the imposed lockdown COVID-19 regulations. The purpose of this study was to examine the library staff support with 4IR's application to provide information resources to remote clients during the COVID-19 library services.Design/methodology/approach>The study was anchored by the positivism research paradigm and used a quantitative research approach. Microsoft Form was used to design an online questionnaire to collect data from the library staff working in a distance education environment in Gauteng Province of South Africa. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).Findings>The findings discovered that the library staff was keen on job innovation;however, the COVID-19 restrictions were a major cause for the library staff not to provide information resources to remote clients effectively.Research limitations/implications>The 4IR has both positive and negative effects on the library staff and the remote clients. To ensure that academic libraries fully embrace the 4IR;it is imperative to examine how the remote clients affected by digital divide can benefit from this revolution since they do not have access to adequate gadgets such as laptops/personal computers/tablets/smartphone/iPods and data for Internet connection.Practical implications>This study contributed to the Library and Information Science's (LIS) field by adding value to the knowledge base concerning how the library staff working in academic libraries operating in a distance education environment in Gauteng Province of South Africa offered support to the remote clients during the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted the drastic adoption of the 4IR.Social implications>Stakeholders, library management and policymakers gained insight to revisit the existing library staff support regarding mentoring, coaching training remote clients on how to access and download online information resources. This is inspired by the fact that COVID-19 significantly influenced library services' value for knowledge by facilitating policy changes and aligning with 4IR.Originality/value>The study greatly influences policymakers and information practitioners to mobilize new methods of library staff support.

Providing Document Delivery/Interlibrary Loan Services from Within a Pandemic: Filling in the Gaps

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) characterized the alarming spread and severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Responding to university directives, as well as professional association recommendations, many academic libraries not only suspended in-person services but also barred access to physical collections for interlibrary loan purposes. Such decisions had a significant impact on interlibrary loan (ILL) operations around the world. This paper describes how the University of Louisville’s Kornhauser Health Sciences Library (KHSL) not only maintained a continuity of ILL services but also expanded those services worldwide. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Hospital Librarianship is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Modernization of user services at academic libraries

The relevance of this problem is generated by digitalization of the industries and social sphere, which poses new goals and tasks before the society. The academic libraries have been restructuring their activities and transferring many processes to online and distance formats. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and online operating during this period, the libraries have focused on distance user services. In these circumstances, they have been modernizing their processes. The authors discuss the experience of the Scientific Library of Siberian Federal University in new-format user services. The new level of selective dissemination of information and differentiated services for managers is analyzed. The pro-active library model is interpreted as the process of user information services in any form on any medium based on traditional services and networking based on the leading query services. The study findings would help librarians and users to restructure their interaction and to expand library's functionality. With the suggested technology based on the leading query services, the library pushes beyond user information needs and builds the nearest interest development zone. The authors suggest their own interpretation of digital transformation of academic libraries.

Academic library spaces and student activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A library in higher education plays a primary role in students' learning on campus. In addition to individually-focused studying, students come to a library for various purposes, such as group learning, collaborating, and socializing. To support students' different types of learning, appropriate physical and functional environments of the spaces must be provided. However, the environmental effects of learning spaces have not been explored extensively. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced students to remain and study at home for extended periods, and it is expected that the pandemic experience has affected students' space use patterns. This study aims to examine the effect of the pandemic on students' library usage and to investigate the necessary environments to effectively support students' learning activities. Data was collected via interviews with 12 students. One of the main findings is that, even though students used the library less during the pandemic, they expected to use it as much as pre-pandemic or even more after the pandemic. Furthermore, both physical and functional environments were associated with the study performance and wellbeing of the students. Therefore, understanding students' learning activities and preferred environments in a library is critical to providing appropriate spaces supporting students' learning performance and wellbeing.

Perception of international students on the role of university library during COVID-19 lockdown in Hungary

Purpose This research study investigated the perception of the international students on the role of the university libraries in Hungary during the COVID-19 online learning period, the research study sought to establish the level of fulfillment the university libraries had on international students' information needs. This study was necessitated by the fact that most of the international students came from different backgrounds and cultures. Design/methodology/approach The study adopted a quantitative research approach;the study used the online survey tool Google Forms, data were collected from three universities in Hungary that hosts most international students, Eotvos Lorand University (ELTE), Budapest University of Technology, and Economics (BME) and Budapest Business School Faculty of Finance and Accountancy (BGE). The targeted sampling population was 60 international students comprising 30 postgraduate and 30 undergraduate international students;a simple stratified random sampling method was used to collect the data. The findings were analyzed using the descriptive statistics method. Findings The study established that most international students never relied on their university library electronic resources, when accessing electronic resources they mainly accessed using Google search engine, this feedback can be associated with the fact that most students never attended library orientation and neither did they have information literacy training during the lockdown. Students experienced the following challenges, lack of adequate study literature, the language barrier in accessing some information, digital information illiteracy, etc. The recommendation of this study is that there is a need to offer frequent literacy studies, provide more digital resources and enhance more and easy accessibility of information resources. Research limitations/implications The research was confined to strictly using online survey tools due to the fact that students were isolated everywhere in Budapest, and the COVID-19 guidelines of 1.5-meter rule and social distance were still in force during the time these data were collected. Originality/value The study brings new limelight on the struggles international students in Hungary endured during the COVID-19 lockdown, and their perception of the role of university libraries, it equally establishes significant roles of the universities library in supporting international students.

Library staff support with Fourth Industrial Revolution's application to provide information resources to remote clients during the COVID-19 library services

Purpose: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have challenged the academic libraries system with a paradigm shift that has never been experienced before. This article highlights how the library staff offered support with the 4IR to the remote during the COVID-19 era;to ensure that the provision of information resources does not halt because of the imposed lockdown COVID-19 regulations. The purpose of this study was to examine the library staff support with 4IR's application to provide information resources to remote clients during the COVID-19 library services. Design/methodology/approach: The study was anchored by the positivism research paradigm and used a quantitative research approach. Microsoft Form was used to design an online questionnaire to collect data from the library staff working in a distance education environment in Gauteng Province of South Africa. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Findings: The findings discovered that the library staff was keen on job innovation;however, the COVID-19 restrictions were a major cause for the library staff not to provide information resources to remote clients effectively. Research limitations/implications: The 4IR has both positive and negative effects on the library staff and the remote clients. To ensure that academic libraries fully embrace the 4IR;it is imperative to examine how the remote clients affected by digital divide can benefit from this revolution since they do not have access to adequate gadgets such as laptops/personal computers/tablets/smartphone/iPods and data for Internet connection. Practical implications: This study contributed to the Library and Information Science's (LIS) field by adding value to the knowledge base concerning how the library staff working in academic libraries operating in a distance education environment in Gauteng Province of South Africa offered support to the remote clients during the COVID-19 pandemic that impacted the drastic adoption of the 4IR. Social implications: Stakeholders, library management and policymakers gained insight to revisit the existing library staff support regarding mentoring, coaching training remote clients on how to access and download online information resources. This is inspired by the fact that COVID-19 significantly influenced library services' value for knowledge by facilitating policy changes and aligning with 4IR. Originality/value: The study greatly influences policymakers and information practitioners to mobilize new methods of library staff support. © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Challenges and opportunities of academic libraries in India because of COVID-19

The paper discusses the impact of the current pandemic caused by COVID-19 on the academic libraries in India. It identifies four areas concerned with an academic library namely, space, collection development, service, and the overall management to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by them in view of the COVID-19. It shows how COVID-19 posed several challenges to run the academic libraries in India in comparison to pre-COVID-19 period regarding these areas. It also presents the opportunities to the libraries. It suggests that that if the libraries use these opportunities, it may prove to be beneficial to it in the long run.

College students' perceptions on sense of belonging and inclusion at the academic library during COVID-19.

This paper demonstrates how university students experienced and perceived inclusion in a public research university library context during COVID-19. Both quantitative (n = 3379) and qualitative data (n = 575) from the 2021 student survey were examined to explore students' library experiences and their perceptions of inclusion. The quantitative data revealed that students using both the physical and online library had the greatest sense of belonging, whereas students who never used any library resources had the least sense of belonging. The qualitative data further revealed that when students used the in-person library space they felt a sense of belonging, as well as feeling accepted and valued; on the other hand, it was hard for them to judge inclusion when they had not been in the library due to COVID-19. This finding suggests how academic libraries need to prepare for the hybrid environment (in-person and online) so that students using online resources and services feel connected to the library.

Information literacy education during the pandemic: The cases of academic libraries in Chinese top universities.

The outbreak of COVID-19 poses new challenges to information literacy education. Facing the worldwide pandemic, academic libraries in various countries are still exploring how to cope with the situation. Little research has been carried out on how academic libraries should systematically promote information literacy education during the pandemic. This study uses 42 academic libraries at the top universities in China as cases for content analysis, focusing on information literacy education via online mini-courses, lectures, and other online teaching methods. The study has found that information literacy education during the pandemic has several characteristics, such as rapid response to information needs, recommending reliable information resources to users, developing and gathering current information on COVID-19 cases, and resisting misinformation and false information. Although libraries act quickly to meet users' needs in this new situation, they are still confronted with some problems, such as insufficient planning, untimely updates, incomplete resources, etc. This study suggests that libraries adopt the following approaches to the development of information literacy education under the new norm of the pandemic: boosting online courses with multi-platform linkage; developing innovative teaching models with online and offline combination; exploring teaching opportunities and expanding teaching content according to new information needs; fighting misinformation.