Covid-19 Effects on Libraries Goes Beyond Books: Lead City University in Perspective

Authors

Adedoyin Johnson, Lead City University, IbadanFollow
Oluwabunmi Bakare Dr., Lead City University, IbadanFollow

Date of this Version

Fall 11-11-2021

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Information is a resource that is naturally needed in all aspects of human endeavors and the library, as an institution responsible for the acquisition, organization and dissemination of information is highly sought by information users. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the closure or restriction of access to libraries all over the world, of which the Lead City University Library was not an exception. This article contends that the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has a wide ranging impact on the library and its users that goes beyond lack of access to books and other information resources. This is because the library is a social institution which has become more of a community center where people can come together not only to access information but also to learn new skills and make new connections in their quest for enlightenment, leisure, up skilling, learning, re-learning and self-fulfillment. To ameliorate this situation and maintain the relevance of the library, the study recommended that it is important that academic libraries invest more on Information Technology infrastructures and electronic resources. Librarians also need to acquire improved ICT skills needed for virtual interaction with information users which is sacrosanct in this era of the new normal.