The perception of ICT skills and challenges of usage of technologies among the library professionals of the Gujarat State during the COVID 19: a comprehensive study

Abstract

It is witnessed that the role of technology became crucial, and people are dependent on technologies to continue creative, professional, and academic activities during a pandemic situation when most of the libraries were not accessible physically worldwide. This study aims to know the level of ICT skills, competencies, usage of technologies, challenges, and services offered by library professionals of Gujarat state, India during the lockdown period. Due to the emergence of advanced technologies, the omnipresence of the internet, the explosive growth of e-resource, and pandemic situation, it is imperative for library professionals to acquire new ICT skills, techniques and apply them to disseminate information and reach out to library patrons. This study reveals how library professionals provided services and resources to users when they need resources/ information and which techniques/ methods library professionals adopted to fulfill the requirements of patrons during COVID-19. The methods adopted by patrons to access library resources were also studied. The 100 questionnaires were circulated via social media and email to library professionals of Gujarat state and 77 (77%) responses received in this study.

Pandemic narratives of library and information centers in Baguio-Benguet

“…As established by the skills of library personnel, some librarians were not tech-savvy. This coincides with the findings of Shastri and Chudasma (2022) that librarians were faced with a lack of ICT skills, internet connectivity and infrastructure during COVID-19. That is why Friday et al (2020) recommended that regular training should be provided on the use of new tools and social media platforms to attain IT proficiency, which would enable library staff to effectively use these tools for providing library services.…”

“…The use of social media for library marketing has been especially significant during the pandemic, with libraries leveraging various digital contents on their social media pages to enhance their provision of library services (Gmiterek, 2021; Gotschall et al , 2021). However, libraries have also faced challenges in promoting their services through social media, including lack of ICT skills, poor internet connectivity and infrastructure (Shastri and Chudasma, 2022). Some libraries have only used social media as a static communication channel and failed to maximize its potential for service provision (Koulouris et al , 2020).…”

Usage of digital library services during COVID-19 pandemic: a study of Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)

“…Implementing a VPN system is cost-effective but necessitates a peculiar infrastructure lacking in many schools and college libraries (Chakraborty and Jana, 2021). Another study conducted by Shastri and Chudasma (2021) acknowledged the tremendous increase in the usage of library websites and e-resources during the lockdown. They also identified the challenges, such as lack of ICT skills, internet connectivity and IT infrastructure in using the e-resources.…”

Investigating of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Skills and Professionally-based Competencies of Translator Candidates

“…represents new multimedia technologies, including" (Zhou, 2018, p. 22). In the last two decades, ICT skills, that is, the ability to use information and communication technologies, have become valid for both individuals and societies (Altunisik & Akturk, (2021;International ICT Literacy Panel, 2007;Kaleli, 2021;Noroozi, Banihashem & Biemans, 2021;Shastri & Chudasma, 2022;Sünbül, Gündüz & Yılmaz, 2002). For example, recent research confirms the important role of ICT skills for the employability, earnings and social inclusion of individuals, as well as for the economic growth of societies (Alan & Sünbül, 2015;European Commission, 2021;Falck, Heimisch & Wiederhold, 2016;Hebebci, 2021;Kaleli, 2020).…”