The conceptualization of processes for handling online requests of information resources in academic libraries in South Africa: Experience from an Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) environment

Dube, Tinyiko Vivian

doi:10.1080/1533290x.2021.1880526

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…However, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic reversed the postulation whereby academic libraries must solely depend on information technologies to provide information resources. The situation imposed that academic libraries should subscribe to various databases to access and download information resources such as full-text journal articles, images, audio, video and audiovisual materials (Dube, 2021b). The academic library needs to train library users to use these databases, or the clients may use free information available on Google and other search engines.…”

Section: Covidmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Digital and digitized resources can be made available to library users as and when required, using various technological access points. However, there are disadvantages to making information resources available online such as malfunctioning library systems, uneasiness when reading on the screen, Internet access and speed as well as lack of access to technology tools required to enable information resources access (Dube, 2021b). Within the COVID-19 era, access to relevant technology is a requirement to ensure access to online information resources (Adebayo et al ., 2018, p. 2).…”

Section: Information Access During the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Academic library services extension during the COVID-19 pandemic: considerations in higher education institutions in the Gauteng Province, South Africa

Dube

Jacobs

2022

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PurposeThis paper aimed to determine the extent to which academic libraries and information services were extended due to the emergence of COVID-19 in the Gauteng Province, South Africa.Design/methodology/approachFounded on a pragmatism paradigm, the sequential explanatory research design was adopted to engage with participants and respondents on their experience of library services extensions to support users during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using online questionnaires and interviews. Cluster and purposive sampling were used and data for the quantitative part were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), whilst qualitative data were analyzed manually.FindingsFindings revealed that academic libraries operating in a higher education environment provided extensive support to remote users during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was done through the utilization of a variety of technology utilization, ranging from traditional e-mail support to the use of technology related to Artificial Intelligence such as the BOTsa, which is a Chatbot aimed to assist users in receiving speedy responses to library-related inquiries.Originality/valueThis study is unique in that it focuses on academic libraries that operate in higher education environments where support for achieving academic endeavors becomes imperative to ensure the smooth execution of teaching and learning activities within the restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Adaptions and improvements to academic library services during and post-COVID-19 era were successful in ensuring that remote users could obtain similar services and access to information as was the case before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Covidmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Information Access During the Covid-19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%