TY - JOUR
T1 - The role of academic libraries and information specialists during times of health crises in Jordan
T2 - the COVID-19 pandemic case
AU - Hamad, Faten
AU - Al-Fadel, Maha
AU - Fakhouri, Hussam
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was partially supported by the National Library in Jordan. We thank our colleagues there, who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted the research. We also thank colleagues at the academic libraries in Jordan for their contribution and insight in this research, although they may not agree with all of the interpretations/conclusions of this paper.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.
DBLP License: DBLP's bibliographic metadata records provided through http://dblp.org/ are distributed under a Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication. Although the bibliographic metadata records are provided consistent with CC0 1.0 Dedication, the content described by the metadata records is not. Content may be subject to copyright, rights of privacy, rights of publicity and other restrictions.
PY - 2022/3/4
Y1 - 2022/3/4
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
KW - Academic libraries
KW - Academic library services
KW - COVID-19
KW - Digital library services
KW - Library services and pandemic
KW - Remote services
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U2 - 10.1108/dlp-02-2021-0009
DO - 10.1108/dlp-02-2021-0009
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85125934719
SN - 2059-5816
VL - 38
SP - 476
EP - 492
JO - Digital Library Perspectives
JF - Digital Library Perspectives
IS - 4
M1 - 4
ER -