When covid19 swept into Trinidad and Tobago like a scene from a sci-fi novel, the National Library and Information System Authority (Nalis) realised it was facing a new chapter that required rethinking, refocusing and re-engineering its library services. Public libraries had to close along with other businesses in TT, but Nalis Educational Library Services Division (ELSD) had to find ways for school libraries to function in a whole new environment.
ELSD is the administrative arm responsible for facilitating library and information services to both primary and secondary schools across TT, and school libraries are mandated to support the school’s curriculum, contribute to the learning process and assist with the holistic development of students.
That all proved to be a tall order during a pandemic. Suddenly, Nalis school libraries had to serve students in cyberspace.
“Traditional library and information services were re-examined with a view to virtualise services to accommodate the educational and social needs of students in the online environment,” said Primatie Persad, director of ELSD.
“We recognised the urgent need to boost online presence, services and resources on the Nalis and school library websites, and social media platforms. We also recognised the critical need to provide specialised services to students who do not have access to information communication technology infrastructure,” said Persad.
Students without electronic devices could submit research queries in their school's dropbox and pick up their answers packaged for them in that same dropbox three to five days later.
ELSD school library supervisors engaged in continuous dialogue and consultation with school library staff, schools’ administration and teachers regarding how the services would be transformed in the “new normal.”
“It was envisioned that these collaborative efforts would reduce learning loss and give our students the best possible chance to succeed in this challenging period,” said Persad.
All health and safety protocols regarding covid19, as outlined by the Ministry of Health, had to be followed in the restructuring process.
School libraries facilitated research queries and packaged information resources in various formats. They targeted digital literacy skills and the library and information literacy curriculum. This required scanning, emailing and printing available resources for students who did not have access to electronic devices.
In schools, user education services were traditionally conducted physically, but now school libraries also adopted a virtual approach to orienting students and teachers on the effective and efficient use of their services and resources.
“Although the ability to request information electronically existed before the pandemic this service was now augmented to allow for submission and responses to research queries via telephone, school library websites and social media pages,” said Persad.
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