CHALLENGES OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE NIGERIAN ACADEMIC LIBRARIES

Abstract

The ripple effects of coronavirus pandemic have been felt on all facets of human activities including libraries which were abruptly closed in a bid to contain the spread of the virus. This study was therefore, carried out to examine the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic on the Nigerian academic libraries. Descriptive survey design was used and data collected via questionnaire. The study population consisted of 83 library personnel in Nigeria that took part in the online survey. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentages. Findings showed that the Nigerian academic libraries personnel had high level of Covid-19 awareness. The highest coping strategy employed during the pandemic was sharing information. In addition, finding revealed that the lockdown had negative impact on the Nigerian academic libraries. Lack of preparedness for COVID-19, closure of library activities, lack of remote library services and inability to connect to the community for the provision of accurate and reliable information through library constituted services challenge. Therefore, libraries and librarians should learn from the pandemic and take strategic action against future occurrence.