Practices and thinking of public libraries in China during COVID-19. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xin, Zhou
• Other Names: Dobreva Milena guest-editor.; Anghelescu Hermina guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: IFLA journal. Volume 48:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 161
• Page End: 173
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- public libraries -- information providers -- reading therapy -- new media operation -- collaboration -- news analysis; Comparative librarianship -- Periodicals; International librarianship -- Periodicals; Library cooperation -- Periodicals; Library science -- Periodicals; 020.9
• DOI: 10.1177/03400352211046024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0340-0352

Abstract

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, libraries in China closed their doors in early 2020 and moved all their services online. This change has brought unprecedented challenges for the development of library services, while it has also brought opportunities and motivation for the future transformation of libraries. This article uses official WeChat accounts of the National Library of China and more than 30 provincial public libraries as the main information sources to summarize and classify the services provided during the period of closure. It also collates and analyses news items released by these libraries to guide the improvement of the online services of public libraries in the pandemic environment. Finally, it puts forward the author's reflections and suggestions on the key development directions of libraries in the post-pandemic era in six areas: reading promotion, smart libraries, new media operation, information literacy cultivation, open access and collaborative development.