Libraries are under pressure. Not only operating in a rapidly changing digital environment, but also facing major competition for limited resources within the organization. The COVID-19 pandemic has once again required libraries to adapt the way they work and interact with their users. How did librarians and information managers manage through, and are there any lasting changes as a result? Listen to the podcast and watch the webinar recording for inspiration and tips. And, down below you can find resources to support you in your daily work.
The post-pandemic library - Podcast
In this podcast, librarians share their experiences over lockdown, and how they see the future, post-pandemic library development. They cover issues such as how varied the library’s roles have become, getting the balance right with the hybrid library, revisiting the physical library, and how collaboration paves the way for the future.
Liz Mengel
Associate Dean for Collections and Academic Services, Johns Hopkins University
“Outreach and collaboration is our core serviceâ€
“It is becoming clear how much work the library staff is actually doingâ€
“The way forward is through publishing innovationâ€
“We survive by working togetherâ€
Greg Sheaf
Assistant Librarian, Trinity College Dublin
“We are part of the Research Team, almost like a Co-Authorâ€
“We've also discovered how much people love the libraryâ€
“You are now embedded at the point of need, rather than in a place that people have to come toâ€
Hilde van Wijngaarden
Library Director, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
“Collaboration is our second natureâ€
“We have the expertise to organize and sort data as well as knowing how to share it correctlyâ€
“Users don’t recognize the new library, so promoting it is key!â€
How hybrid working took hold in science
Two years since COVID-19 forced labs to shut down, group leaders describe how academic research has changed, perhaps forever. In the two years since the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic, many research groups have established a ‘new normal’ routine that blends working from home with time in the laboratory. It’s clear that many pre-pandemic work patterns are gone for good. But what do Hybrid workers want?
On 17 March 2020, Serena Nik-Zainal’s laboratory shut down after two members of her group came down with COVID-19. Announcing the closure to her team at the University of Cambridge’s...
Post Pandemic, what have we learned? – Webinar recording
It is more important than ever to start implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for research discovery. As well as for indexing, document matching, content mapping and content summarization. In this webinar, librarians from Lebanon and United Arab Emirates talk about the problems they are facing due to the pandemic and how to move forward. Specifically, looking into utilizing AI in the near future.
“No technology will remove humans, but we need to soon start using the latest AI tools as this is the future."
Libraries in the Post-COVID-19 World: Uncharted Waters
Electronic resources usage and research outcome before and during COVID-19
Post COVID-19 challenges and lessons learned
Randa Chidiac
Vice President, Lebanese Library Association
Khalid Bilal Pasha
Librarian Specialist, United Arab Emirates University
Bakheet Beshtawy
Specialist Librarian, Dubai Health Authority
Supporting resources
The Link – Supporting libraries with information they can trustSee all
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