The Changing Role of the Library

Experiences and resources for librarians & information managers

Libraries are under pressure. Not only operating in a rapidly changing digital environment, but also facing major competition for limited resources within the organization. The COVID-19 pandemic has once again required libraries to adapt the way they work and interact with their users. How did librarians and information managers manage through, and are there any lasting changes as a result? Listen to the podcast and watch the webinar recording for inspiration and tips. And, down below you can find resources to support you in your daily work.

The post-pandemic library - Podcast

In this podcast, librarians share their experiences over lockdown, and how they see the future, post-pandemic library development. They cover issues such as how varied the library’s roles have become, getting the balance right with the hybrid library, revisiting the physical library, and how collaboration paves the way for the future.

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Liz Mengel

Associate Dean for Collections and Academic Services, Johns Hopkins University

“Outreach and collaboration is our core service” 

“It is becoming clear how much work the library staff is actually doing”

“The way forward is through publishing innovation”

“We survive by working together”

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Greg Sheaf

Assistant Librarian, Trinity College Dublin

“We are part of the Research Team, almost like a Co-Author”

“We've also discovered how much people love the library”

“You are now embedded at the point of need, rather than in a place that people have to come to”

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Hilde van Wijngaarden

Library Director, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

“Collaboration is our second nature”

“We have the expertise to organize and sort data as well as knowing how to share it correctly”

“Users don’t recognize the new library, so promoting it is key!”

How hybrid working took hold in science

Two years since COVID-19 forced labs to shut down, group leaders describe how academic research has changed, perhaps forever. In the two years since the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic, many research groups have established a ‘new normal’ routine that blends working from home with time in the laboratory. It’s clear that many pre-pandemic work patterns are gone for good. But what do Hybrid workers want? 

On 17 March 2020, Serena Nik-Zainal’s laboratory shut down after two members of her group came down with COVID-19. Announcing the closure to her team at the University of Cambridge’s... Read further

Hybrid Working © Springer Nature

Post Pandemic, what have we learned? – Webinar recording

It is more important than ever to start implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for research discovery. As well as for indexing, document matching, content mapping and content summarization. In this webinar, librarians from Lebanon and United Arab Emirates talk about the problems they are facing due to the pandemic and how to move forward. Specifically, looking into utilizing AI in the near future.

“No technology will remove humans, but we need to soon start using the latest AI tools as this is the future."

Libraries in the Post-COVID-19 World: Uncharted Waters

Electronic resources usage and research outcome before and during COVID-19

Post COVID-19 challenges and lessons learned

Randa  Chidiac

Randa Chidiac

Vice President, Lebanese Library Association

Download Randa Al Chidiac’s slides

Khalid Bilal Pasha

Khalid Bilal Pasha

Librarian Specialist, United Arab Emirates University

Download Khalid Bilal Pasha’s slides

Bakheet Beshtawy

Bakheet Beshtawy

Specialist Librarian, Dubai Health Authority

Download Bakheet Beshtawy’s slides