Abstract
The purpose of the case study is to share the experience in responding to the COVID-19 for information delivery by the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), Vignana Jyothi Institute of Management (VJIM), Hyderabad. The case study illustrates the unexplored challenges faced by the LRC VJIM during COVID-19 and the actions taken by using innovative technologies. Data were collected regarding the use of e-resources with the help of statistics available in the dashboard of Remote Xs and analyses have been made accordingly. Furthermore, the case study revealed the extensive use of digital services and e-resources provided by the LRC, VJIM in pre pandemic and at the time of pandemic. The findings of the case study will lead to help the academic libraries to meet the user expectations in getting the required information and roles and responsibilities of library professionals during the new normal for the information delivery.
TopIntroduction
Corona Virus Disease 2019 abbreviated as COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) an infectious disease has created catastrophic condition’s around the world. Due to its vulnerability behavior and unavailability of medicine to treat this pandemic that has led to an unprecedented surge of deaths, the whole world was under the unknown indecision that made everyone to be indoors. Due to the enactment of lockdown to control the virus spreading one-one all the nations in the world to rheostat the increase of deaths. The contagion sprawled its wings all over the world and has made an unpredictable impact on academic institutions too. The surge of COVID-19 has taught to build resilience to face and overcome threats, from unprecedented pandemic to extremist violence and rapid technological change. The COVID-19 has provided a prospect to remind ourselves to face the challenges like decision-making problem solving and adaptability which is needed very much in this volatile world for the present circumstances. Hence, to overcome and remain fit for the situation resilience must be built into our educational systems as well as for all the students. Needless to say, the pandemic has transformed the centuries-old, chalk–talk teaching model to one driven by technology. This disruption in the delivery of education is pushing policymakers to figure out how to drive engagement at scale while ensuring inclusive e-learning solutions and tackling the digital divide1.
Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to share the experience of a B-School Learning Resource Centre in response to the COVID-19 and New Normal conditions. The paper describes the services provided by the learning resource center at this time of crisis and illustrates the unexplored challenges faced by the Libraries during COVID-19: and the actions taken for the new normal conditions using innovative technologies, and how the new digital services and activities librarians have carried out from home and offices to keep their libraries alive and support the users and the responsibilities for the new normal for the library professionals. The chapter describes well about the library professional’s role in improvising the library services at the time of pandemic and their thirst for continuous learning for their development and also the users. The Chapter also explains about the drawbacks or limitations during the pandemic concerning academia and libraries. A certain recommendation was suggested to keep track of the situation.
Background
In light of COVID which has impacted business and economy at larger. COVID -19: Impact on Academia and Libraries was also inevitable. So the institutes have to reorganize and adopt new tools for knowledge sharing and dissemination because of the closer of the institutions. As there was a very short time to plan libraries has closed all facilities at the institute to safeguard the patrons and employees and moved to online services only working from home. The sudden hiatus of academic institutions left the students with unknown uncertainty like what next. Thanks to the Internet that has kept us connected to each one of us virtually in all forms. The ICT (expand) and the Internet have given a new pathway for all the academic institutions to adopt the online teaching-learning at this time of uncertainty. Though online education is well known to all the academic circles due to the regulator's stipulations most of us give less importance to this type of education. Interoperability has given rise to innovations in creating various virtual learning platforms for better use at this time of complexity.
The COVID-19 has resulted in schools shut all across the world. Globally, over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom2. As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the distinctive rise of e-learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms. There was a significant surge in using webinars, video conferencing, language and communication apps, virtual tutoring.
Figure 1. Impact COVID-19 has had on education around the world
Key Terms in this Chapter
COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019.
Remote Access: The ability to access your computer from a remote location.
E-Library: Electronic library that holds all the resources or collections in electronic format.
Library Services: Services offered to the library user.
E-Resources: Resources in the electronic form that are readable using various electronic components.
Technology: Machinery and equipment developed from the application of scientific knowledge.
New Normal: A previously unfamiliar or atypical situation that has become standard, usual, or expected.
Pandemic: Occurring over a wide geographic area (such as multiple countries or continents) and typically affecting a significant proportion of the population.
Learning: Knowledge or skill acquired by instruction or study.