‘The challenge now is for us to remain relevant’: Australian public libraries and the COVID-19 crisis

IF 1 Q3 INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE

IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS Pub Date : 2021-11-14 DOI:10.1177/03400352211054115

S. Wakeling, J. Garner, P. Hider, H. Jamali, Jessie Lymn, Yazdan Mansourian, H. Randell-Moon

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引用次数: 8

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has had a significant impact on public libraries around the world. In Australia, almost all public libraries experienced some period of building closure, requiring libraries to adapt their services and delivery models. This article reports findings from a large-scale survey of public library managers in Australia, which was conducted in August 2020. In particular, it presents the results of a thematic analysis of the participants’ free-text responses to open questions asked as part of the survey. This analysis reveals important insights relating to responses to library closures, staffing issues, new and expanded services and programmes, relationships with parent bodies, and the role of public libraries during the crisis and beyond. While public libraries are perceived by managers to have been agile and adaptable, and to have utilised technology effectively, the findings clearly demonstrate the value to users of library buildings, with important consequences for understanding the role of public libraries.

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“我们现在面临的挑战是保持相关性”：澳大利亚公共图书馆与新冠肺炎危机

新冠肺炎危机对世界各地的公共图书馆产生了重大影响。在澳大利亚，几乎所有的公共图书馆都经历了一段时间的建筑关闭，要求图书馆调整其服务和交付模式。本文报道了2020年8月对澳大利亚公共图书馆管理人员进行的一项大规模调查的结果。特别是，作为调查的一部分，它介绍了对参与者对公开问题的自由文本回答的主题分析结果。这项分析揭示了与应对图书馆关闭、人员配备问题、新的和扩大的服务和计划、与上级机构的关系以及公共图书馆在危机期间及以后的作用有关的重要见解。尽管管理者认为公共图书馆灵活、适应性强，并有效利用了技术，但研究结果清楚地表明了图书馆建筑对用户的价值，对理解公共图书馆的作用具有重要意义。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

IFLA JOURNAL-INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF LIBRARY ASSOCIATIONS INFORMATION SCIENCE & LIBRARY SCIENCE-

CiteScore

2.70

自引率

15.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： IFLA Journal is an international journal which publishes original peer reviewed articles, a selection of peer reviewed IFLA conference papers, and news of current IFLA activities. Content is selected to reflect the variety of the international information profession, ranging from freedom of access to information, knowledge management, services to the visually impaired and intellectual property. The IFLA Journal aims to promote and support the aims and core values of IFLA as the global voice of the library and information profession by providing authoritative coverage and analysis of the activities of IFLA and its various constituent bodies and members, and those of other bodies with similar aims and interests.