Towards a New Service of University Libraries within COVID-19 Pandemic Time in Indonesia

Abstract

This research aims to understand new virtual services developed by Islamic university libraries viewed from the perceptions of library and information science students. The concepts of services and functions of libraries, social media, and virtual technology, are used to understand this objective. This research employs a qualitative method with data collection techniques covering online observation and interviews. Before determining the object of research, observations were made daily on local and national online newspapers, to get an overview of the phenomena of library services during the COVID-19 time. Online interviews employed Google forms reinforced by direct communication via WhatsApp and Phone Calls with several informants, to obtain and validate data through triangulation techniques. The data analysis employed Miles and Huberman analysis techniques, including data reduction, data display, and verification or conclusions. The results of this study show three main issues: firstly, general phenomena around educational issues of students, indicating various social practices from internal to the external environment. Secondly, library usage becomes based on access development to information resources, service innovation, library response, and intensity of library use. Finally, newly identified service developments cover innovations in social media, librarians before virtual cameras, virtual recreation functions, and library collaboration.