How public libraries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic?: Arab Academics’ Perspective

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to investigate Arab academics' perspectives about the potential role of public libraries in supporting their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study adopted mixed-methods approach. Initially, observed initiatives taken by international public libraries during the current crisis, then designed an online survey which was undertaken from March to April 2020. The survey was designed to collect Arab academic visions. The findings showed that e-resources availability in the current crisis is a must, also health awareness is a national duty. The study also indicated that public libraries can develop their own initiatives to do more than providing information to support their communities in crises, similar to those permitted their 3D printers for community services to produce face shields for health workers. The study also highlighted the library's entertainment role, targeting all ages to relieve their stress to avoid its negative impact on immunity. It also illustrated the measures for the post-pandemic era and the impact of the current crisis on libraries' future. The study highly recommends that every library must have its own emergency plan to improve their response in future crises. The value of the current study lies in being first Arabic study provides deep insight on how public libraries can manage the current crisis, and crystallizes a framework that libraries can depend on it in future health crises.

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