Public Libraries. Are they vital?
A library is an integral part of any society that wishes to provide access to different avenues of information for creating a knowledge based society. In the period of yore, a library was considered as a symbol of wealth. The great emperors such as Asurbanipal and Ptolemy II Philadelphus had built libraries to exhibit their opulence to the world; nevertheless the ordinary citizens were not allowed to utilize royal libraries for improving their knowledge. However, libraries in the contemporary world are increasingly being transformed into user-centered platforms that provide a vast array of information services to the people for expanding their boundary knowledge.
Although there are different types of libraries such as school libraries, academic libraries, special and national libraries, a public library can be identified as a common intellectual space that disseminates information irrespective of their users’ race, creed, ethnicity, or social status. Library as a place provides information entirely free, particularly in this respect a public library plays a major role by providing access to a myriad of knowledge. Accordingly, thousands of public libraries that are spread in diverse user communities in the world ultimately focus on creating a knowledge revolution in their respective communities by providing up-to-date information to prospective users.
Did Covid- 19 Pandemic immobilize public Libraries in the world?
Simply the answer is “No”. Because of the advancement of new technology, libraries are capable of providing user services beyond physical walls of the library. Nowadays it can be seen that social media, virtual reality, video conferencing and distance learning tools that supplement the services provided by the physical libraries for reducing the yawning gaps of social isolation. Hence, although there were different countries, regions, and cities around the world that were locked down partly and entirely due to Covid-19, the public libraries located in the locked down areas continue with the provision of their uninterrupted service to minimize the social isolation from knowledge hubs with the aid of new technology.
Is it Practical?
Yes, a large number of libraries in the world currently maintains their service network uninterrupted by the global pandemic with the utilization of different strategic methods for providing at least a skeleton service to their user communities during the pandemic by resorting to the following innovative service delivery systems..
- Telecommuter Librarians
During the covid-19 pandemic, a vast majority of employees belonging to different work categories is compelled by circumstances to work from home. Similarly, librarians have initiated programs for providing user services to be delivered at home with the aid of telecommunication. As an example, reference librarians can facilitate virtual reference work from home. In this regard, a wide variety of social media platforms has performed a gargantuan role by way of sharing information virtually amidst the outbreak of coronavirus. It can be seen that, the vast majority of libraries currently uses Chat services, Facebook, Email, and other freely available tools which remotely connect libraries and their prospective users. In this regard, a well-organized library website with dynamic contents would be an invaluable advantage for libraries since they can post updated news, new arrivals, full-text database links on their websites that help users to stay connected and updated. Nevertheless, this trend should be further promoted by facilitating training & skill development opportunities and enhancing cultural inclusiveness activities.
2. Digital Storytime
According to ALA, Digital storytelling is the latest iteration of a narrative tradition. Predominantly, digital Storytime is the utilization of ICT tools to share and narrate stories. Accordingly, text, images, videos, recorded audio and video can be used to develop the story and make the story very attractive to the connoisseur. As a pedagogical tool digital Storytime provides lifelong learning while improving users’ skills, imagination, and creativity.
3. Scanning of chapters from books, journals articles for remote users
Resulting from the closure of libraries, users were unable to physically access the library which created numerous obstacles to the library users . Hence, libraries have been compelled to provide scanned pages of books and journal articles according to users’ requests.
As mentioned above, since libraries were able to bridge physical gaps between users and information needs with the aid of new technologies, they accepted the covid-19 pandemic as a catalyst for changing the traditional service package provided by libraries from the very inception.
Did library users get motivated?
Since libraries provide information using a wide variety of ICT tools beyond the physical library setting, their users have to be familiarized with those technologies in order to get the maximum benefits. However, although the covid -19 pandemic reaffirmed the necessity of bridging gaps between people and technology, still a gap appears to be seen between them. According to Ioanna Georgia Eskiadi, the uneven distribution in the access to and use of digital technologies is based on users’ age, geographical or geopolitical factors, social factors, or economic factors.
Further, the covid -19 pandemic necessitated the utilization of ICT tools and the internet to minimize the harmful impacts of monotonous social isolation. Nevertheless, it can be seen that the digital literacy of the older generation is far below compared to that of the young generations which is considered as the main cause of expanding the digital divide between the two generations. Currently, a large number of older adults is appeared to be struggling to learn how to use a smart device or access the internet. Hence, it is important to ensure the digital equality and inclusion for sustainable information dissemination channel during the covid -19 pandemic. Also, there are differently abled user groups who need special attention which libraries should pay due attention to while they are engaged in providing information. So, it is of paramount importance that the achievement of digital equality and accessibility of all users are to be ensured by the expanded service coverage to different user categories and socio-economic entities.
Conclusion
A library is a place or flatform that provides life-long education for people irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, or other differentiating factors. Since social isolation looms in the horizon as a destructive phenomenon in the contemporary society , libraries throughout the world have been employing different ICT-based tools to provide information beyond their physical library settings. This phenomenon unveiled several inequalities that different user communities have been facing while accessing information. Accordingly, it is important to take remedial measures and actions to strengthen digital equality and inclusiveness to eliminate the gaps between information generation and users’ growing demand for the subject specific maximum benefits.
SHALANI JAYAMANNE 