Challenges faced by library staff of academic libraries during the Covid-19 pandemic: University of Sri Jayewardenepura Library experience

Abstract

This study attempted to examine the role of academic libraries and how the libraries handle crises and other related problems during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, the study is aimed at investigating the challenges that the library staff of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura (USJ) faced when providing services to its users amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Accordingly, the main objectives of this research were to examine whether the USJ library performed all routine activities, and whether it provided all facilities at usual times during the pandemic. Further, the study aimed to identify how work scheduling during the pandemic affected staff behavior and to investigate whether the staff faced difficulties when providing library services online. This is a qualitative study, and questionnaires and structured interviews were used for data collection. The research population consisted of the total library staff members of the USJ. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019. Based on the results of the analysis, only a few members of the staff did not engage in routine activities during the pandemic. Although a number of difficulties have been mentioned by the respondents when dealing with external parties, alternative measures were also put in place at the USJ library to carry out the routine activities without fail during the pandemic. Though there was a list of activities which could not be performed during the pandemic, some services were provided remotely. An adequate number of staff members was available in the offices during the period when employees were working on a roster, adhering to the safety regulations imposed by the government. It was revealed that the USJ library staff has successfully carried out their duties online during the pandemic with the help of the IT infrastructure. In conclusion, work is challenging during a global pandemic, nonetheless, there are ways and means to overcome these challenges. Communication media and developments in IT play a vital role here.