Retooling the Concept of Information Service Provision: Imperatives for Libraries in Developing Countries in Times of Pandemic

Abstract

The quest to adapt information services from the traditional library context to one that is digital for efficiency, relevance, and sustainability of the library profession in developing countries prompted the paper. From a comparative viewpoint, the competitiveness of two information provision models (traditional and digital— social media) was discussed, considering the mediating role of technology. The prospect and viability of the latter over and above the former as an efficient and responsive model of information service provision during and after pandemic were highlighted with the aid of statistics. The paper proposed that the identification of core library patrons, acceptance of the broken monopoly of the library as an information provider, the development of a variety of information services, implementing social media and making services audience and device-specific, the building of social media community, etc. as key strategies for transforming the surviving libraries into thriving ones. The paper concluded with some benefits accruing to libraries in less developed countries that are operating the traditional model if the proposed strategies are proactively implemented.