Impact of COVID-19 on the use of the academic library
ISSN: 0090-7324
Article publication date: 15 October 2021
Issue publication date: 8 December 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines differences in library use patterns (in-person visits, online use, reference transactions, library resource and services use) pre-COVID-19 and during the COVID-19 pandemic through multiple data sets.
Design/methodology/approach
Using library statistics collected during 2017/2018 and 2020/2021 and student responses to a biennial library use survey distributed in 2018 and 2021, the potential impact of the pandemic on users' behaviors was explored.
Findings
Library use statistics and the biennial survey responses demonstrate that users' overall library use was impacted by COVID-19. Both the library's gate count and students' frequency of library visits showed a dramatic decrease. The use of virtual support to patrons increased during COVID-19 as reflected by the increase in email and chat reference interactions and virtual consultations.
Practical implications
As students return to the physical classroom, observing library use via various data will help inform how well use of the library rebounded or if there are changes in users' behavior that suggest the need for the promotion of library services or an expansion in alternative services to support users.
Originality/value
This article highlights the importance of continuously obtaining various data sets to observe trends and changes. By observing multiple data points, some changes are aligned across data, whereas other changes or patterns are different. While impact on physical library use may be obvious, library use before and during the pandemic will help guide and inform how academic libraries should be prepared for hybrid environments post-pandemic.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank our colleagues, Paula Dempsey and Mary Shultz who reviewed the manuscript and provided their insightful feedback.
Citation
De Groote, S. and Scoulas, J.M. (2021), "Impact of COVID-19 on the use of the academic library", Reference Services Review, Vol. 49 No. 3/4, pp. 281-301. https://doi.org/10.1108/RSR-07-2021-0043
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited