Academic Libraries in Ghana and Their Strategies for Coping with the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Title
Academic Libraries in Ghana and Their Strategies for Coping with the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Description
In March 2020, institutions of higher education shut down in compliance with the directives of the President of Ghana to curb the spread of COVID-19. In July 2020, when the lockdown restrictions were eased, universities resumed teaching, learning, and research in order to continue the second semester of the 2020/2021 academic year. Universities and their libraries immediately adapted to online teaching and the delivery of services and resources to their patrons even though most of them were largely unprepared for this ‘new normal’ experience.
This paper adopts the qualitative research design which comprised documentary evidence of experiences of ten public and private universities libraries in Ghana with regard to their resources, services, facilities and staff as well as impact on library users during the pandemic. Findings reveal the strict compliance of the COVID -19 protocols and sanitation practices, the increased use of online databases, social media interventions and virtual training among others. The different strategies adopted by university libraries in Ghana are worth sharing and lessons learned provide a unique opportunity for academic librarians to rethink their key roles and core values in supporting the teaching and learning of their institutions during this very challenging time and the future.
This paper adopts the qualitative research design which comprised documentary evidence of experiences of ten public and private universities libraries in Ghana with regard to their resources, services, facilities and staff as well as impact on library users during the pandemic. Findings reveal the strict compliance of the COVID -19 protocols and sanitation practices, the increased use of online databases, social media interventions and virtual training among others. The different strategies adopted by university libraries in Ghana are worth sharing and lessons learned provide a unique opportunity for academic librarians to rethink their key roles and core values in supporting the teaching and learning of their institutions during this very challenging time and the future.
Creator
Danquah, Monica Mensah
Dadzie, Perpetua S.
Gyesi, Kwesi
Publisher
International Journal of Librarianship
Date
2022-12-15
Format
application/pdf
Language
eng
Type
Text
Journal Article
Date Issued
2022-12-15
Is Part Of
International Journal of Librarianship
Extent
7(2), 30–45
Position: 894 (76 views)
Files
Citation
Danquah, Monica Mensah
, Dadzie, Perpetua S.
, and Gyesi, Kwesi
, “Academic Libraries in Ghana and Their Strategies for Coping with the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” CALASYS - CALA Academic Resources & Repository System, accessed January 15, 2025, http://ir.cala-web.org/items/show/1358.