The role of academic libraries and information specialists during times of health crises in Jordan: the COVID-19 pandemic case
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-02-2021-0009 |
| Published date | 04 March 2022 |
| Date | 04 March 2022 |
| Pages | 476-492 |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library technology,Records management & preservation,Information repositories |
| Author | Faten Hamad,Maha Al-Fadel,Hussam Fakhouri |
The role of academic libraries and
information specialists during
times of health crises in Jordan:
the COVID-19 pandemic case
Faten Hamad
Department of Library and Information Science, The University of Jordan,
Amman, Jordan, and
Maha Al-Fadel and Hussam Fakhouri
The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan
Abstract
Purpose –COVID-19 forced libraries and other institutions to either close their doors to users or change
their servicesroutines. At this time, the libraries should extend theirefforts to meet the increasing demands of
information servicesin terms of quantity and quality of information services. This study aimsto explore the
role and responsibilities of academic libraries during times of crisis from the staff perception in academic
librariesin Jordan.
Design/methodology/approach –A questionnaire was disseminated to 359 library staff who were
working at the 10 public universitiesin Jordan; 295 questionnaires were suitable to analyze, with a response
rate of 82.2%.
Findings –The results indicated the importance of increasing academiclibraries –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
informationremains the social responsibility of librarians.
Practical implications –The findings will provide insightsfor other academic libraries on how to react
in a crisis andmaintain its role as a reliable information source.
Social implications –During the healthpandemic, people needed support in terms of getting easyaccess
to authentic and reliable information. Libraries hold a social responsibility to the local community,such as
awarenesscampaigns, posting videos on health practicesand 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
providingdistance library services over digital channels.
Keywords Academic libraries, Digital library services, Library services and pandemic, COVID-19,
Academic library services, Remote services
Paper type Research paper
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.
DLP
38,4
476
Received2 February 2021
Revised9 April 2021
13May 2021
Accepted16 May 2021
DigitalLibrary Perspectives
Vol.38 No. 4, 2022
pp. 476-492
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2059-5816
DOI 10.1108/DLP-02-2021-0009
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
https://www.emerald.com/insight/2059-5816.htm
Key mesages are suitable and clear
Academic libraries are learning and research hubs in Jordan.
Information services provided by libraries during a crisis are essential to keep
library patrons engaged with information.
Access to information is essential to enhance the awareness level of the public
community, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Libraries have an important role in countering fake news and information.
Introduction
Coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread to almost all countries worldwide. It originated from
Wuhan, China and classified as a pandemic by the World HealthOrganization (WHO, 2020).
Up to 3 May 2020, there have been 3,356,205 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including
238,730 deaths, reported to WHO. Accordingly, WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on
January 30, 2020. COVID-19 is transmitted because of human-to-human interaction. This
meant limiting human interaction, especially in places with high-density populations, such
as schools, universities,gyms and malls, which should be shut down as a procedure to limit
the rate of infection (Liu et al.,2020).
During times of crisis, librariesare expected to magnify their efforts in terms of quantity
and quality to meet the ever-growinginformation services demands. Librariesneed to adjust
their collection and information services during a crisis as they seek to support the users
they serve. Libraries also havea social responsibility totheir users and the community they
support. For instance, to prevent the spread of COVID-19, governments forced social
distancing; however, access to information remains a social responsibility of librarians and
information personnel (Ali and Gatiti, 2020). Hollander and Carr (2020) argue that libraries
can provide virtual communication to provide information support for people in isolation.
Rayward and Jenkins (2007) pointed out that libraries are responsible for supporting social
continuity and social change by providing information infrastructure. Ali and Gatiti (2020)
affirmed that information need does not fade during a crisis; on the contrary, it might
increase. Libraries shut down in almost every country, which put extra demands on
librarians and informationprofessionals to meet information needs, whether it is for COVID-
19 or something else. Temiz and Salelkar (2020) suggested that COVID-19 might mean
employing more librarians,technical people and student counsellorsto support students and
researchers. This meansthat pandemics create more duties and tasks that are requiredfrom
libraries and librarians.
Academic libraries have always been centers for self-learning and knowledge
acquisition. They provideinformation support for individuals and the local community. The
value of libraries comes from the fact that it holds trusted informationand critical resources
that communities need to thrive (Ashrafi-Riziand Kazempour, 2020). They hold a variety of
information resources,especially the online collection that is accessible around the clock. As
schools and universities were forced to close to support physical social distancing to help
mitigate the spread of coronavirus, libraries were also forced to close. Therefore, libraries
and librarians are facing a new challenge. Moreover, Adebayo et al. (2019) pointed out the
need for academic libraries and librarians to fully understand their expected roles in the
online and blended learning environment. Academic libraries can also contribute to
ensuring public health awareness and theprovision of up-to-date information to all society
members. Additionally, academic libraries need to improve and digitize their existing
Role of
academic
libraries
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