Risk and ARL Academic Library Policies in Response to COVID-19

COVID-19 impact on the Chinese top academic libraries: Libraries' response to space, collection and services

“…The following are the reflections on what can be considered for development now and in the future based on findings and previous studies, the authors recommend that libraries (1) create comprehensive disaster planning and emergency preparedness in cooperation with libraries around the world ( Kehnemuyi, 2021 ; Wijayasundara, 2021 ); (2) implement sustainable, permanent changes to library services and operations ( Heady et al, 2021 ; Runyon & Steffy, 2021 ); (3) embrace digital tools and technologies like enhance remote access infrastructure and digital skills, intentionally integrate more digital resources into the collection and more virtual services into the workflow; (4) develop a unique repository collection that can archive and preserve the practices, thoughts, events and literatures of experiencing the unprecedented situation around COVID-19 and previous disasters where future generations can learn from past generations ( Farne et al, 2021 ; Mehta & Wang, 2020 ), and finally, (5) develop emergency management of the “new normal” agenda for librarianship both as part of their course requirements and as compulsory industrial training among Library and Information Science undergraduates that prepares them for becoming library and information professionals. As Heady et al (2021) discuss, rather than a return to a pre-pandemic normal operating procedure, this can be a time to innovate and create a new normal that positions academic libraries to better weather future storms.…”

“…To mitigates the spread of the virus, libraries transitioned from providing on-site and in-person services to virtually through digital service delivery. Ranging from complete closure to reopening, there is a wide spectrum of practices, such as reconfiguring or removing furniture and limiting access to group study rooms for social distancing requirement ( Farne et al, 2021 ; Scoulas et al, 2021 ), partially open and social distancing policies ( Heady et al, 2021 ), or reduce the opening hours of the library ( Fasae et al, 2020 ). Generally speaking, it presents a mixed-mode of completely closed, semi-closed or limited access ( Rafiq et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The digital library services of almost all university libraries are booming, ensuring that university libraries continue to support learning, research and teaching ( Chisita & Chizoma, 2021 ). Most libraries suspended face-to-face consultations and offered online consultations ( Heady et al, 2021 ), facilitating e-learning courses material ( Jana & Rout, 2021 ), and online study/research support sessions ( Thorpe & Howlett, 2021 ). This study will explore how the pandemic lockdown period impacted users' access to online services and digital collections.…”

“…The current COVID-19 pandemic environment for many academic libraries is one of uncertainty and focus on modifying, extending, and adding services as well as protecting the safety of staff and patrons. Thus, there is a growing literature on libraries' responses to cope with the situation, especially the beginning phase of the COVID-19 (see, for example, American Library Association, 2020 ; Heady et al, 2021 ; IFLA, 2020 ; Rafiq et al, 2021 ). However, a comprehensive overview of the range of typical services libraries are developing prior to the COVID-19, as well as during and the normalized three phases are still inadequate.…”

Designing an open-source application to record library gate counts in response to COVID-19

“…According to Heady, Vossler, and Weber (2021), a high percentage of Association of Research Library (ARL) institutions reported a reduction of physical building hours during the 2020-21 academic year. Additionally, several ARL institutions employed a mix of restricted or limited access restrictions to library facilities in response to the pandemic.…”