The Battered Library: Navigating the Future in A New Reality

Abstract

The library was already undergoing change. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have uprooted whatever remained of the traditional library, giving way to an uncharted course in the provision of library services. This prompted research into the preparedness of librarians, librarianship students, and other students in 50 higher education institutions in Nigeria. Social survey was carried out by using social media platforms—WhatsApp and Facebook—to administer questionnaires to the target group. Responses revealed that librarians were not emotionally prepared for the pandemic and would prefer not to witness another. The use of libraries during the pandemic was minimal, and the availability of online resources was undermined by poor infrastructural development. Moving forward, increase in the use of digital resources is expected as well as creation of creative and flexible, technology-driven library spaces. Librarians will need more training, and a change in the curriculum of library schools is inevitable.