Setbacks inot comebacks: Protocols of academic and special libraries during the COVID-19 crisis in the Philippines and some parts of the world

• Main Authors: Flores, Roana Marie L., Tansiongco, Kevin Conrad
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 2021
• Subjects: Libraries—Philippines; Library administration—Philippines; COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- —Philippines—Influence; Library and Information Science
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/faculty_research/9299
• Institution: De La Salle University

Just like any other organizations and institutions across the globe, libraries have been badly hit by the Covid-19 emergency and confronted with disruptive incidents. Libraries were left unprepared for the crisis but ready to improvise. New services and strategies have been observed to counteract the impact of the pandemic. Though this is a pressing issue of concern, literature discussing the impact of covid-19 in libraries and information centers are still limited. In the Philippine set-up, there has been no attempt in the form of research to explore what has been enforced by libraries in the academic and special libraries sector. This is where this paper takes its motivation. The research agenda is to explore the new normal strategies being and have been implemented in the academic and special libraries during the Covid-19 crisis in the Philippines and some parts of the world. Specifically, the researchers intend to find answers to the following questions: 1) What are the setbacks encountered by the librarians in the academic and special libraries during the pandemic? and 2) What existing and new library protocols have been implemented during the covid-19 pandemic in terms of the following: collection, programs and services, library space, and personnel? This study employed a qualitative exploratory research approach primarily using asynchronous remote interviews via email. Findings of the study will be beneficial to all LIS professionals, faculty, students, and researchers for they will be able to glean vital solutions instigated by libraries to counteract the setbacks brought about by the pandemic. Additionally, the findings will serve as a benchmark in crafting new library programs, services, and strategies especially when faced with a disruptive incident like the Covid-19 pandemic. The researchers also deem that it is essential to document what libraries have been doing during the pandemic for it will undoubtedly affect the present and future landscape of the field of librarianship.