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

Author:

Hamad Faten,Al-Fadel Maha,Fakhouri Hussam

Abstract

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.

Publisher

Emerald

Subject

Library and Information Sciences,Education,Information Systems

Reference30 articles.

1. Blended learning in higher education: implication and strategies for academic library support,2019

2. The COVID‐19 (coronavirus) pandemic: reflections on the roles of librarians and information professionals;Health Information and Libraries Journal,2020

3. Anatolian University Libraries Consortium (ANKOS) (2020), available at: https://icolc.net/ (accessed 10 July 2020).

4. Library consultations and a global pandemic: an analysis of consultation difficulty during COVID-19 across multiple factors;The Journal of Academic Librarianship,2020

5. Information typology in coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis; a commentary;Archives of Academic Emergency Medicine,2020

Cited by 6 articles. 订阅此论文施引文献 订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献

1. Predictors of blended learning adoption in higher education institutions in Oman: theory of planned behavior;International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education;2024-02-19

2. Libraries roles and practices to enhance information resilience: Academic librarians’ perspectives;Journal of Information Science;2023-09-10

3. User’s intention towards the use of digital libraries: a post COVID-19 scenario;Digital Library Perspectives;2023-07-12

4. Academic Libraries and the Pandemic;International Information & Library Review;2023-07-02

5. Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Requests;Journal of Library Resource Sharing;2022-11-17

同舟云学术

1.学者识别学者识别

2.学术分析学术分析

3.人才评估人才评估

"同舟云学术"是以全球学者为主线,采集、加工和组织学术论文而形成的新型学术文献查询和分析系统,可以对全球学者进行文献检索和人才价值评估。用户可以通过关注某些学科领域的顶尖人物而持续追踪该领域的学科进展和研究前沿。经过近期的数据扩容,当前同舟云学术共收录了国内外主流学术期刊6万余种,收集的期刊论文及会议论文总量共计约1.5亿篇,并以每天添加12000余篇中外论文的速度递增。我们也可以为用户提供个性化、定制化的学者数据。欢迎来电咨询!咨询电话:010-8811{复制后删除}0370

www.globalauthorid.com

TOP

Copyright © 2019-2024 北京同舟云网络信息技术有限公司
京公网安备11010802033243号  京ICP备18003416号-3