The Impact Of Covid-19 On Library Services Provision

Abstract

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease presented unique challenges to all the stakeholders of the education system and the libraries were not an exception. This case study focused on how COVID-19 impacted library service provision at The University of Zambia main library. The study used five key informants from the main library which were the head librarian, the head of collection development, the head of the circulation department, the reference librarian and the head of the serials department and the data was collected through interviews. In this study, it was discovered that the library was not greatly impacted by the pandemic. However, sudden and unexpected outbreak of the virus forced the library professionals, to ascertain ways of working in a rapid time frame like shifting to digital platform wherever possible and to provide adequate remote services to the users.