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Article
Publication date: 17 June 2020

Batool A. Hendal

This paper aims to examine the extent of benefits Kuwait University faculty received from the electronic resources offered by Kuwait University Libraries Administration…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the extent of benefits Kuwait University faculty received from the electronic resources offered by Kuwait University Libraries Administration, specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was distributed using Google Forms via different social media platforms and official emails. The sample was Kuwait University faculty from all 16 colleges.

Findings

The results showed humble use of electronic resources during this critical time. The faculty mostly used the electronic resources for writing research papers, and databases and e-journals were their most preferred resources. The majority of nonusers indicated that they did not need these resources, and the rest referred to their unawareness of these resources. The results also showed that the majority of nonusers were willing to learn more about the electronic resources and how to use them.

Originality/value

The results and recommendations of this study are expected to be beneficial to Kuwait University and Kuwait University Libraries Administration, specifically, in terms of knowing what the faculty members use and prefer and the problems they face when searching electronic resources.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. 36 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2022

Dilara Begum and Md. Hasinul Elahi

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the East West University Library’s (EWUL’s) response to COVID-19 situation through their transformation to digital services. The paper…

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the East West University Library’s (EWUL’s) response to COVID-19 situation through their transformation to digital services. The paper tries to explain how these digital library services support the user community of East West University (EWU) in online teaching and access to information resources.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper describes the EWUL’s several digital services that are used to meet the needs of its user community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reflective practice approach has been undertaken for this study on the basis of the authors’ personal experiences working at an academic library. The authors used the reflective practice approach to assess the library’s practice during crisis situation, make the use of technological interventions in service providing and also to re-innovate the digital services for future.

Findings

During the pandemic, the library shifted all the possible physical or on-site services to digital services, i.e. online resource facilities and remote access to these, federated searching, Web online public access catalog, engaging users through social media, specialized knowledge space, online document delivery, article on request, information literacy training, virtual reference service, etc. The user engagement in all these services is also notable.

Research limitations/implications

The nature of this study is limited to the COVID-19 pandemic and within a particular geographic location.

Practical implications

This paper has implications and possible applications for other university libraries in developing countries, which intends to transform their services into digital for ensuring better service quality for their respective user community.

Originality/value

This paper makes a valuable contribution to the literature on how a private university library of a developing country is responding to pandemics such as COVID-19.

Details

Digital Library Perspectives, vol. 38 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5816

Keywords

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