THE TRANSFORMATION OF ACADEMIC LIBRARIES IN BACOLOD CITY DURING COVID-19
Keywords:
Academic libraries, COVID-19 impact, Digital shift, Digital media, Bacolod City, Library transformation, Hybrid services, Online resources, E-books, Open AccessAbstract
Academic libraries functioned as dynamic centers for research, learning, and community involvement before the COVID-19 pandemic. Once perceived solely as repositories of print resources, libraries are now grappling with challenges posed by the digital revolution, shifting user behavior, and the imperative to redefine their role in the contemporary educational landscape. Through the lens of the Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity (VUCA) Framework, the study described how libraries addressed their challenges characterized by various strategies for innovation. The pandemic has transformed academic libraries in Bacolod City, leading to hybrid models that integrate physical and digital services. This qualitative study examined the transformation of academic libraries in Bacolod City amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically to investigate the impact of this transformation on information delivery service, library resources, library management, librarians’ competence, and the effect of the transformation in academic libraries. The study revealed a significant transformation marked by technological integration, innovative management strategies, and the redefinition of library spaces and services. Despite enrollment challenges and institutional shifts, libraries showcased resilience by adopting digital platforms to sustain educational support. It involved updating online collections, using social media to drive engagement, and extensively incorporating e-books and online databases. Librarians are skilled in navigating these changes, becoming digital curators and facilitators in virtual learning environments.
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