During the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic in our time, we're inclined to begin to believe epidemiologists that such things will happen more often than before. In this situation, do you think that university libraries should change or adapt in some way? And if so, what directions should they take?
In Bremen/Germany the city Library made adjustments in the lockdown phase:
- offer more electronic leases,
- prolonging lending times,
- no opening hours.
In a phase after the lockdown I would like to see for Universtiy libraries:
- more open access off-campus (normally it is restricted to the campus),
- more electronic leases for a longer time...
Libraries here closed for the past three months, and until further notice. All printed material should be made electronically available. It is coming.
I have been trying to get copies of 62 old articles for three months, the closest library that has them is a day's drive. I need them for an article I am writing. I have to go there, photocopy them, then scan them. The libraries are closed until further notice. Very time consuming and expensive. Time to offer all electronically.
As far as sterilizing the hard copy between patrons, chemicals, UV and IR radiation would destroy the paper and ink. But gamma radiation, as they use in the food industry, could do it safely. Gamma would also kill the pathogens, the mold and insects that libraries have problems with.
The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has given great challenges to library professionals. They have to create and update regularly the profiles of end-users. The descriptions of the needs and their verbalization, study of working hypothesis, and navigation through references of texts of the retrieved systems and the tools such indexes, thesaurus, and hypertext links help in formalization in the information needs health and allied personnel. The following steps should be undertaken by library professionals:
Ø need-based databases should be developed. The relevance of databases will help in the management of digital assets in the emerging information environment. The nature and character of databases will depend upon the user's needs.
Ø End-User Services should be made available on the Internet and Intranet. Specific information-content services made available on demand.
Ø Databases of selected information resources and link them to records to full-text journals be prepared.
Ø Database should be capable of offering access to external databases available worldwide on COVID-19.
Ø Digital reference services refer to a network of expertise, intermediation, and resources put at the disposal of a user seeking answers in an online/networked environment. Asynchronous tools such as e-mail, subject gateways, FAQs, electronic libraries, and interactive tools like chat rooms, virtual reference desks, and ask-me should be applied by the health professionals in order to disseminate requisite health/literature information to those health workers rallied extensively in the delivery of health care.
Ø Worldwide data generated by authentic agencies on COVID-19 be compiled and be made accessible online electronically.
Interactions are needed for the day to be developed between health information scientists and health professionals through email, mobile, and other latest information communications channels in order to provide need-based health information services on COVID-19.
The new normal is here now. Libraries should endeavour to make their holdings available electronically. Digitalisation is key
One of the responses above stated the book would not be infective. Consider this scenario; someone home sick with COVID-19, reading a library book. They sneeze on every third page, cough on ever second pages and rhino drips on every page. This was witnessed in the hospital. Lancet says the virus can live in the droplet for several days after it dries, and on paper at least a week. Closed in a damp book, who knows. That is why I recommended gamma irradiation as they use in such places as food processing industry. It is safe, no residual, and would also treat insects and mold spores, as wells as bacteria. Thank you.
