Challenges faced by university libraries in the context of the covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Like other institutions, libraries were not prepared to respond to everything that the Covid-19 pandemic brought: social isolation, remote work, suspension of academic activities, uncertainties about the return to the new normal, etc. This paper analyzes information from six academic libraries in the Federal District (Brazil), describing what were the first measures and steps that libraries implemented to keep up with the current life of their users. Semi-structured interviews and document research with content analysis were applied, identifying the following results: (1) Adoption of protocols and guides for users on security measures, libraries published documents with security measures, based on information from international and national institutions; (2) Use of social networks to promote services and communicate with users, with Instagram being the main ally for the dissemination of services and for being in contact with users.