Normalcy in Library: The Stakeholders Prediction, Expectation and Librarian Activism on Post Covid-19 Pandemic Period

Abstract

Due to the spread of the novel corona virus (Covid-19) disease and the subsequent global lockdown presented unique challenges to everybody and in particular to all the stakeholders of education system. This contagious virus changed working Style of all in the institutions from offline to online because of the stoppage in all walk of life. The sudden and unexpected outbreak of the virus forced the institutions especially the library, to find out ways of working within a rapid time frame to embrace technology like shifting to online platform wherever possible and to provide remote services adequately to the users. The Lockdown started in India in the third week of March-2020 and it still continues after a brief relaxation. Still Educational Institutions are not opened and are not allowed to operate physically almost for more than a year. In this scenario almost all higher education institutions continue to function remotely. Faculties, Students, Research Scholars and Library Professionals adapt to this change and are used to this technology enabled remote functioning. This situation cannot continue for long and normalcy has to return. In this study online survey research design used and covers the stake holders of The Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University and 5 of its affiliated institutions which are functioning in tire 2 or tire 3 cities. The collected data were analysed. Findings also revealed that highest percentage (97%) of the Library users and Library professionals have supported and are in favour of “New Normal” changes and only few respondents are relying on traditional services and printed collections. The study concluded that in this new information era library staff should always be ready to face a challenging situation. Further, most of the respondents suggested that the higher educational institutions should continue to adopt webinars services and focused on motivating, encouraging the librarians to enhance their digital skills to be in pace with the present digital age. The Article also suggested for Librarian Activism, and suggested the mobilization of librarians across the country to document and shares the challenges faced, their responses and their best practices during the Covid-19 crisis and during revival.