International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology

Research Institute for Knowledge Content Development & Technology (건국대학교 지식콘텐츠연구소)
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Interrogating the Role of Libraries in the Fight against COVID-19 Pandemic: The Nigerian Perspective

  • Received : 2020.04.30
  • Accepted : 2020.12.04
  • Published : 2020.12.31
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Abstract

The study investigated the role of libraries in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. Six research objectives were raised to guide the conduct of the study. The survey type of the descriptive research design was employed. The population of the study comprised of 139 selected librarians in Nigeria. The complete enumerative sampling technique was adopted to study the entire 139 librarians. The instrument for data collection was an online survey questionnaire designed by the researchers using SurveyMonkey and administered to the respondents via the Nigerian Library Association (NLA) WhatsApp group and the NLA Google group. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that among the services delivered by Nigerian libraries amidst the global pandemic are COVID-19 awareness and sensitization creation, provision of digital contents to patron, organizing online streaming programs and connecting patrons/citizens to accurate and reliable data on COVID-19 cases around the world. The study further revealed that these services are delivered frequently despite the low level of Nigerian libraries' preparedness for global pandemic. The study concluded that, Nigerian libraries, through their services, are potent weapon for promoting positive change, development, orientation, and re-orientation in the society. By creating COVID-19 awareness/sensitization (especially in rural areas), libraries are able to contribute significantly to the fight against the pandemic.

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References

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