Users’ Expectation of Library Services and Resources in the COVID 19 Pandemic Era: A Comparative Study of Two Academic Libraries in Nigeria

The study was carried out to examine users’ expectation of library services and resources in this COVID-19 pandemic era. The descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. The population of the study comprises library users of College of Education Library, Agbor and Federal University of Petroleum Resources Library, Effurun, Delta State. 210 respondents were selected each from the two academic libraries via purposive sampling technique making a total of 420 respondents used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was an online questionnaire designed through Survey Monkey. The study revealed that the respondents from both academic libraries indicated they expect services such as electronic access to services and resources, virtual reference services, accurate COVID-19 information to keep them updated, online user education programmes, selective dissemination of information via email, display of library services on social media, research help services online, and a spacious study hall to enable them observe the physical distancing while studying in the library. Also, users from both academic libraries indicated they expect to have access to electronic databases, e-zines and online newspapers, internet sources, e-journals, e-books and government publication in this COVID-19 pandemic era. On the channels of accessing services and resources in this COVID-19 pandemic period revealed that the respondents from both academic libraries agreed that they access library services and resources majorly through Email Service, while only respondents from College of Education, Agbor indicated that the also access their academic library services and resources through their library social media platforms. It can be observed also from the study that the respondents from both academic libraries were averagely satisfied with their academic library though they expect more incorporation of information communication technology in service delivery to boost their access in this COVID-19 pandemic era.