Survey on online library services provided during the COVID pandemic situation: with special reference to academic libraries of Sri Lanka

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic can be considered as a turning point of the usual civil life of many people. It has challenged the conventional teaching and learning methods from all levels of education. Specially, the university education has affected drastically by the pandemic. This has resultant to move towards online teaching and learning methods to continue the student’s education in universities. Been the main information service provider, the academic library has a significant role in providing support for online teaching and learning activities of the university. Present study aimed to investigate about the online library services that provided by the 15 state university libraries of Sri Lanka as a response to the “new normal” condition. An online survey was conducted to investigate the online services provided through the library websites of the state universities of Sri Lanka. Survey was conducted under similar conditions at the same time. Results revealed that almost all the libraries provide OPAC, institutional repository, Online database with off-campus access together with other conventional online services. However, Article Index, Digital Document Delivery service, Government publications, Library tour, LMS Link, Open Access Books, Recommended reading download, subject liaison service, Voice, Library, and laptop lending services can be considered as new services emerged. This is the high time for academic libraries to embarked on new services and transformed towards meeting the requirements of the changing society. Results of the present study will be an initiative for all the libraries of the country to moving forwards by providing new service landscape to delight the remote patrons.