Understanding occupancy pattern of university libraries in the post-pandemic era

Understanding indoor occupancy patterns is crucial for energy model calibration, efficient operations of fresh air systems, and COVID-19 exposure risk assessment. University libraries, as one of centers of campus life, due to the high mobility and "foot-voting” nature of them, i.e., occupants pick seats in the micro-environments they prefer, provide a non-intrusive opportunity to carry out post-occupancy evaluations. We conducted a long-term online monitoring of occupancy in libraries of a university in China by web-crawling the online seat reservation system, based on which, we constructed two sets of databases consisting of around 70 million records of nearly 3, 000 seats in 4 library sections, with seat-level resolution and sampling frequency up to every 10 seconds. The informative data set depicts not only the overall spatio-temporal occupancy patterns, but also nuances hidden within seats and visits. The daily flow of the main libraries exceeded two visits per seat. Half of the visitors stayed at the libraries for 3-6 hours during a single occupancy. Semester schedules and campus accessibility together influence students' decisions on when and which library to go, while even within the same zone, some seats were always more popular than their neighbours. "Semi-isolation” is one of the candidate attractive features proposed to understand the underlying patterns. © 2022 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022. All rights reserved.

The Libraries of the University of Catania: History, Heritage, Sites, Services and Reading Public

The paper retraces the history of the libraries of the University of Catania, from their foundation to the present day, as well as two civic libraries that provided, and continue to provide, facilities for University studies. Taking into account the University libraries' mission, the paper analyses the evolution of library services, bibliographic heritage, the sites, and the reading public. It highlights a series of both strengths and weaknesses, some of which emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic emergency, and draws attention to the need to make the University Library System, which still lacks its own set of Regulations, more efficient.

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.

Benchmarking for effective services in Nigeria

This chapter assesses the practice of benchmarking in Nigerian libraries, with a focus on academic libraries. Participant observation, questionnaires, and focus group interviews were methods used to establish the situation. Results show that standards are not fully developed and implemented among libraries in the country. Benchmarks are hardly even mentioned. However, there is interest among university librarians in knowing more and implementing benchmarks which can improve the delivery of library services. The inadequate response to COVID-19 is a clear indication of the preparedness of libraries in the country. Prevention of dire effect of future pandemics or disruptions will require intentional preparedness. Nigerian librarians, especially the academic librarians as leaders, must take responsibility for improving on the present situation by taking advantage of their global networking. The regulatory body, Librarians' Registration Council of Nigeria, must also step up in preparing and monitoring the implementation of benchmarks in libraries. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Benchmarking on the fly and new ways of working: leveraging benefits from the pandemic experience

The University of Queensland (UQ) Library was a participant in the international benchmarking exercise reported in Part Two of this book. This paper is inspired by a question raised during the workshop "will our COVID-19 responses and experience remain relevant in the future?” This paper presents a case study of the UQ Library experience 2020–21. We position qualitative benchmarking as a social and immediate practice and share our new ways of working born in response to the pandemic. We believe that these new ways of working can persist. We share our reflections so that others can consider leveraging benefits from the pandemic experience. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Accessing special collections during the COVID-19 pandemic in university libraries in Nigeria

The accessibility of special collections during the COVID-19 pandemic was a matter of concern for libraries and their users due to the specific nature of special collections compared to other information sources in libraries. This study therefore investigated the accessibility of special collections in university libraries in the South South zone of Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. The population of the study included 233 librarians in federal, state and private universities in the zone. The study adopted an online questionnaire and there was a total of 197 respondents. The findings show that special collections were accessible to library users through library websites, institutional repositories, CD-ROMs and flash drives during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. The study reveals some of the challenges affecting the accessibility of special collections during the COVID-19 pandemic in university libraries in Nigeria and recommends ways of enhancing the accessibility of special collections during a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. © The Author(s) 2023.

On Distance Learning, Open Educational Resources, and the Role of University Libraries in These Processes

Objective. The article is aimed to improve the understanding of university communities (teachers, students, librarians) concerning the development of distance learning, open educational resources, and the new role of university libraries in these processes. Methods. The main data on the development of distance learning, OER, and increasing the role of university libraries in these processes were obtained due to the analysis of professional publications in periodicals and on the university websites of around the world, the application of methods of method of participant and non-participant observation, a description of the authors' own experience (the director of the scientific library, the associate professor of IT disciplines and the heads of the scientific library departments) who work at the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technology (Dnipro, Ukraine). Results. It has been established that the implementation of distance learning systems, the use and availability of open (preferably free) information sources on open access platforms or open educational resources (OER), exchange of scientific research in the digital scientific space, etc. – these components are closely interconnected and used among teachers, scientists, students. Distance education requires inclusion in the processes of both teachers – authors of open educational resources, and employees of certain services providing information and IT support for both teachers and the resources created by them. Such structures are university libraries, which were among the first to support the philosophy of openness and to join the processes of supporting open access, open science, and open education based on intellectual information systems and technologies. The experience of the scientific library of USUST is considered – a structure that enables online access to text and non-text OER as a necessary element while ensuring limited personal interaction between a teacher and a student. Conclusions. Today, during the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, the foundations are being actively laid to make the provision of educational services at universities, in particular distance education, dynamic and multidimensional. It is necessary to integrate electronic library resources with distance learning platforms to ensure unhindered access for students and teachers. © T. O. Kolesnykova, O. V. Gorbova, T. G. Shcherbatiuk, 2022.

The New Evolutionary Trajectory of University Libraries: The Editor-in-Chief's View

The paper provides a brief overview of the events/issues that the authors of the 7(2022) issue of the UniLibNSD journal cover in their articles. The authors' many issues are highlighted through evidence of the nature of these challenges, as well as theoretical and concrete examples of how to address them. At a time of tectonic shifts in global geopolitics, climate change, digital development, the fight against the COVID 2019 pandemic, social transformations, librarians have witnessed russia's full-scale aggression against Ukraine and against world democracy, including the terrible destruction of Ukrainian libraries and archives by russian terrorists who continue their fierce offensive against the world's documentary heritage. That is why most of the authors challenge traditional concepts of librarianship, argue that libraries are not neutral, and call on the world's librarians to take active measures to prevent genocide, anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices for the benefit of both users and the profession itself. © T. O. Kolesnykova, 2022.

Automation of University Library Operations: An Analysis of the COVID-19 Pandemic Experience in the United Kingdom and Nigeria

This study examined how automation systems enhanced the operations of university libraries in Nigeria and the United Kingdom (UK) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It reviewed literature on the extent of automation, effectiveness of the use of automation technology and ascertained the challenges of automation in the operations of university libraries during COVID-19 lockdown in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. Findings revealed that most university libraries in the UK are fully automated while university libraries in Nigeria are either partially automated or not automated. During the COVID-19 lockdown, university libraries in the UK were able to provide services, while Nigerian libraries were unable to render services. UK and Nigeria were both faced with challenges during the lockdown. Some UK libraries could not optimally provide services due to insufficient licenses for digital content. In Nigeria, there were several socio-technical issues such as inadequate staff access to computers and the internet, poor power supply, and a lack of ICT skills. The study concluded that university libraries in Nigeria should embrace more technology if they want to be effective in their operations and be able to compete favourably in the global space. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Comparison of adaptive thermal comfort with face masks in library building in Guangzhou, China

During the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing masks in public spaces has become a protective strategy. Field tests and questionnaire surveys were carried out at a university library in Guangzhou, China, during June 2021 and January 2022. The indoor environmental parameters were observed, thermal sensation votes of students on various environmental parameters were collected, symptoms of students wearing masks were quantified, and the appropriate amount of time to wear masks was established. To identify acceptable and comfortable temperature ranges, the relationship between thermal sensation and thermal index was investigated. During summer and winter, people wearing masks are symptomatic for a certain duration. The most frequently voted symptom was facial heat (62.7 % and 54.6 % during summer and winter, respectively), followed by dyspnea. During summer, more than 80 % of the participants subjects were uncomfortable and showed some symptoms after wearing masks for more than 2 h (3 h during winter). In the summer air conditioning environment in Guangzhou, the neutral Top was 26.4 °C, and the comfortable Top range was 25.1–27.7 °C. Under the natural ventilation environment in winter, the neutral Top was 20.5 °C, and the comfortable Top range was 18.5–22.5 °C. This study may provide guidance for indoor office work and learning to wear masks in Guangzhou. © 2022 Elsevier Ltd

COVID-19: strategies for positioning the university library in support of e-learning

Purpose>The purpose of this study was to investigate the various innovative support strategies rendered by academic libraries in support of e-learning in Zimbabwean universities. This was necessitated by the change in nature of learning and services provision in universities as a result of COVID-19. Despite the crisis caused by the pandemic, users of libraries still expect services to answer their information needs.Design/methodology/approach>A quantitative study was done to unpack the role of digital library services in supporting e-learning in universities in Zimbabwe. An online questionnaire was developed using survey monkey and distributed to 50 professional librarians in both private and state universities in Zimbabwe. A total of 34 librarians responded to the questionnaire and the data was analysed and presented thematically. Data were presented using descriptive statistics in the form of figures.Findings>The findings revealed that academic libraries play an important role in supporting e-learning in higher education institutions by providing electronic information resources, which are key in research, learning and teaching. The libraries provide a one-stop shop for accessing electronic resources through the digital library. Patrons have benefitted by accessing and using digital library services during the COVID-19 lockdown period. It was also discovered that libraries should ensure that they are prepared to always offer their services despite the closure of physical buildings because of the pandemic.Research limitations/implications>The study used an online questionnaire only as the data collection instrument, as it was the most suitable one to get data from librarians working from home and also because of the COVID-19 health guidance such as maintaining social distance. The other methods were not used because of financial constraints.Practical implications>This research showed the importance of digital services in e-learning environments, especially in developing countries. The work revealed how university librarians in Zimbabwe are coming up with practical solutions in supporting e-learning in times of crisis. The research therefore becomes handy for higher education institutions and authorities in crafting e-learning frameworks and positioning academic libraries at the centre of teaching, learning and research activities.Social implications>This paper provides useful insights into how libraries can support learning especially during a pandemic. The paper details how libraries support communities by offering correct and reliable information from scholarly information sources. It also chronicles how libraries play an important part in the support of researchers in higher institutions in the fight against COVID-19.Originality/value>To the best of authors' knowledge, this research is one of the first done in Zimbabwe on strategies that libraries are using in the COVID-19 era to support e-learning. The findings presented in this study are helpful for higher and tertiary education authorities and other policymakers in improving e-learning and digital libraries.

Making Space for Students on the Autism Spectrum in the Academic Library

Research has shown that students on the autism spectrum are more likely than neurotypical students to major in STEM fields. Other research, on school children as well as older students, has shown that students on the autism spectrum can benefit from an environment where stimulation is reduced. The author's institution had recently designated specialized rooms for nursing mothers, parents with small children, and veterans. During Fall Semester 2019 the authors applied for grant funding to renovate a small, unused room on the second floor of Carlson Library on the Main Campus of The University of Toledo. Following recommendations in the literature and advice from the campus Student Disability Services Office, the authors selected lighting, soundproofing, furniture, and paint for the room renovations. They also obtained support from the Dean of University Libraries for the project. However, plans changed when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in the United States in early 2020. The University went virtual from mid-March to Mid-August 2020, and all librarians were working from home. Sources of funding disappeared due to fears of an economic downturn. In the Fall of 2021, we were told there was internal funding available for this renovation. This paper reports on the authors' future plans since funding is on hold. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022.

The times they are a-changin’: But how fundamentally and how rapidly? Academic library services post-pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic, the use of online shopping has grown rapidly. In the United Kingdom, it has been estimated that the uptake has increased to a level that it would have taken up to 5 years to achieve if the pandemic had not occurred. It is thought to be unlikely that online shopping will reduce significantly post-pandemic with major consequences for physical retail provision. Will similar trends apply to academic libraries? Will the range of online services introducing lockdown be a permanent feature? Will additional online services be required? Will there be a move back to some of the more traditional face-to-face services? This chapter looks to envision academic libraries post-pandemic. The content is based on questionnaire responses from a range of academic librarians and managers, based in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, Australia, and the United States, many of whom have contributed to three recent volumes edited by the author and published by Chandos/Elsevier. © 2021 David Baker and Lucy Ellis Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Pandemic Pressures in Universities and their Libraries: a View from Australia

The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily impacted Australian universities and their libraries but has been felt most strongly by students and staff who are already marginalised. This article, written by Kay Tucker and Becky Batagol, draws upon both published literature and the authors’ own experiences as a librarian and academic employed at Monash University, Australia's largest university. Important lessons from the pandemic for universities and university libraries at times of crisis and disaster include: actively recognising and responding to structural inequalities amongst students and staff;organising services so that all can participate to their fullest ability;providing students with opportunities for social connection, enhanced digital capabilities, safe and inclusive spaces and accessible materials;as well as flexible employment practices.

Canadian university research libraries during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic

This paper documents the services and changes that library staff at a group of 15 Canadian university research libraries highlighted on their main pandemic pages and social media accounts during the early days of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Findings suggest that libraries in the samples adopted the following services and changes: closing the physical libraries;suspending all physical collection services and in-person events;continuing to provide virtual reference services;promoting access and usage of electronic collections;suspending late fees and renewing checked-out items with a new due date;and advising users to wait before returning borrowed items. Notably, all libraries in this study were operating as full-scale digital libraries. This study will provide lessons learned to other libraries around the world to help in reviewing their own operational policies for coping with the current COVID-19 pandemic and for future global public health crises.

Library instruction and information literacy 2020

PurposeThis paper presents recently published resources on library instruction and information literacy, providing an introductory overview and a selected annotated bibliography of publications covering various library types, study populations and research contexts.Design/methodology/approachThis paper introduces and annotates English-language periodical articles, monographs, dissertations, reports and other materials on library instruction and information literacy published in 2020.FindingsThe paper provides a brief description of all 440 sources and highlights sources that contain unique or significant scholarly contributions.Originality/valueThe information may be used by librarians, researchers and anyone interested in a quick and comprehensive reference to literature on library instruction and information literacy.

Covid - 19 pandemic and the future of Nigeria's university system: The quest for libraries' relevance.

The paper examined the role of academic libraries in the evolving paradigm shift in teaching methodologies in Nigerian universities as a result of the outbreak of Covid-19. It x-rayed the current global trends in online education and significant roles libraries can play. Responsive library website design and adoption, adoption of blended librarianship model and use of social networks among others were identified as best practices to adopt in order to secure a place for libraries in Nigeria in the face of the eminent change in teaching methodologies post Covid-19. Furthermore, the study considered perceived challenges libraries may be confronted with in deploying relevant ICT infrastructures geared towards transitioning from traditional to online provision of services in support of teaching and learning. The paper recommended dynamism in library service delivery, urgency in the acquisition of new skill sets by academic librarians in Nigeria, while also calling on relevant stakeholders to provide adequate funding for libraries in order to be able to deploy relevant ICT infrastructures needed to adequately support teaching and learning in a virtual environment.