Viešųjų bibliotekų funkcijos COVID-19 pandemijos kontekste: Šiaulių regiono bibliotekų atvejis
Functions of Public Libraries in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic: the Case of Šiauliai Region Libraries

Summary/Abstract: The article analyzes the functions of public libraries during crisis, putting emphasis on the con-text of the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of the scientific literature reveals that during the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to such libraries’ functions as providers of informational resources and cultural services (book loans, organizing cultural events), partners (collaboration with other organizations) and internal planners (maintenance of successful functioning of libraries) the functions of information disseminators (dissemination of trustworthy information, fight against infodemic), community supporters (care for and support to community members) and educators and trainers (development of competencies relevant during crisis) are particularly significant. The article presents the results of the survey conducted in Šiauliai region public libraries, which allows to examine the functions of public libraries during COVID-19 pandemic from the empirical perspective, to assess the situation of implementation of different functions, to compare them with the results from studies conducted in other countries, and to provide insights to strengthen the most prominent functions in the pandemic context. This research is important not only in the context of COVID-19 pandemics, but any crisis situation.

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