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Social Sciences › Social Sciences › Library and Information Sciences
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Use of Academic Library Resources
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Conflicts of Interest
Identified Weaknesses
Rating Explanation
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Paper Summary
Paperzilla title
Students Ditched the Library Website When COVID Hit (But Still Asked for Help!)
The study found decreased usage of library websites, catalogs, and databases during COVID-19 closures across three universities. However, virtual communication with librarians and interlibrary loan requests increased, suggesting a shift in how students accessed library resources during the pandemic. The impact varied across institutions, with the residential university experiencing the largest decrease in usage.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified
Identified Weaknesses
Limited Comparability Between Institutions
The study acknowledges differences in academic calendars and the inability to directly compare data between institutions, limiting generalizability.
Limited Scope of Database Usage Metrics
Relying solely on full-text downloads as a metric for database usage overlooks other valuable metrics like searches and abstract views, which could offer a more complete picture of resource utilization.
Unquantified External Factors
The study mentions the influence of external factors like fluctuating enrollment and publisher paywall removal during the pandemic but doesn't quantify these effects, hindering a precise assessment of COVID-19's impact on library usage.
Small Sample Size
The small sample size of three universities, with varying characteristics, makes it difficult to draw broader conclusions about the pandemic's impact on academic library usage.
Rating Explanation
This study provides valuable insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic library usage. Despite some methodological limitations such as a small sample size, reliance on specific usage metrics, and unquantified external factors, the research offers a starting point for understanding how library usage patterns shifted during unprecedented circumstances. The study's multi-faceted approach, considering various library resources, strengthens its contribution to the field.
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Original Title:
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Use of Academic Library Resources
File Name:
10383.pdf
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File Size:
0.64 MB
Uploaded:
July 14, 2025 at 10:32 AM
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