Unmasking the Young Adults’ Library Responses during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case from Qatar

ABSTRACT

Providing online services and assistance to library users has become the standard practice of many libraries worldwide. It has prompted many institutions to develop strategic actions to remain relevant in the absence of physical services. Although there are numerous initiatives among public libraries for teens, there is limited literature about the provision of online services and assistance for teens during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, this study seeks to highlight the services, efforts, and initiatives of Qatar National Library, specifically its Young Adult (YA) Section, in planning and implementing virtual services to address the information needs of teens during a pandemic. Additionally, this study will present information that might help library professionals design their own library plans and programs to serve young adults virtually. This paper takes a quantitative approach to share the library’s experience organizing various online events and reference services for youth development amid limited access to physical services. This case study includes information about user feedback, highlighting the teens’ experience with the library’s virtual programs.

KEYWORDS:

• Qatar national library
• pandemic
• young adults
• teens

Notes on contributions

Virgilio G. Medina Jr is Information Services Librarian – Young Adults at the Qatar National Library Doha, Qatar. He recently completed his Master of Arts – Library and Information Studies at the University College London (Qatar Campus). He has worked in Middle East countries as a school librarian for prio rto his appointment at the Qatar National Library. His professional and research interests center on young people’s engagement with learning technologies, young adult services, and information and digital literacies, including aspects of digital wellbeing and digital safety.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Virgilio Jr Medina

Virgilio G. Medina Jr is Librarian at the Qatar National Library Doha, Qatar. He graduated his Master of Arts in Library and Information Studies at the University College London (Qatar Campus). He worked as a school librarian prior to his appointment at the Qatar National Library. His professional and research interests center on young people’s engagement with learning technologies, young adult services, and information and digital literacies, including aspects of digital wellbeing and digital safety.