Change is the Only Constant: Libraries After COVID Pandemic

Abstract

While change is a constant in libraries, this article will explore the changes that have occurred and may yet be discovered following the COVID pandemic. 2020 has been referred to as the year the Earth stood still. Yet for libraries, it was a year of tremendous change with quick adaptations in order to support our student and faculty populations while seeking to preserve the safety and health of library colleagues. The authors will explore what external factors are driving the post-pandemic changes, the practices that were standard that no longer work, and emerging changes in practices. While the authors work in a North American context as well as in academic and research library context, they will explore literature from around the world. The authors bring their experience as library leaders and subject expertise to the consideration of the impact of the pandemic on library efforts and operations.

Keywords:

• Change
• libraries
• library practice
• pandemic
• user services

Disclosure statement

The authors declare there is no Complete of Interest at this study.