Women librarians’ role in the provision of effective information delivery in pandemic period: Nigeria perspective

Abstract

Information delivery is the process of conveying information from one person or system to another. It could be seen as the process of delivering useful information to the end users in a manner that is easy to understand and put to use. The pandemic period is the period that individuals are faced with specific difficulties as a result of disease, or war related challenges which hinder communication or movements by individuals. This study is aimed at examining the role of women librarians in the provision of effective information delivery in pandemic period using Nigeria as a study focus. The study is guided by four research questions which harmonize with the purposes of the study. The population of the study comprises the one hundred and two women librarians in Imo State from different organizations. Questionnaire was used to collect data and data collected was analyzed using simple percentages and mean statistical method. The finding showed that pandemic period posed a lot of challenges for effective information delivery. It was found that amid the pandemic ravaging the nation, women librarians still figured ways of delivering information to their patrons. Based on the findings, we recommend adequate funding by the authorities, training of the librarians to master the use of emerging library technologies, upgrade of libraries to offer electronic and online services to patrons despite their location or lockdown periods. The study concluded by emphasizing on the importance of information delivery in critical periods like this, and encourages women librarians to be proactive in effective skills to disseminate and deliver information to users in pandemic periods.