The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work and health of university library staff

ABSTRACT

This study sheds light on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of university librarians in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The article’s importance is in assessing the impact of new strategies in the context of the COVID-19 crisis when libraries were forced to close and operate online only. The content focuses on analysing the physical and mental health impact of COVID-19-infected librarians in leadership positions and on university librarians in general during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the immediate post-COVID period. Taking care of the physical and mental health of people infected with COVID-19 in the aftermath of the pandemic is indispensable if they are to continue to meet the requirements of their profession. This study collected data quantitatively and qualitatively through an anonymised survey and in-depth interviews in six selected university libraries. Interviews were conducted from June 2022 to August 2022, recorded, translated, and topic analysis done by the authors directly before writing.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic librarians
• physical health
• mental health
• pandemic COVID-19
• online services
• post-COVID-19

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hue Huong LE

Le Hue Huong is a lecturer at IUH-HCMC. She took her doctorate in philosophy in 2003 at D. Mendeleev University of Chemical Technology in Russia. She has published 13 scientific papers in Vietnam and abroad. Her areas of interest include chemical engineering, environmental management, natural resource management and human resources.

Loan Thuy BUI

Bui Loan Thuy is an Associate Professor and a lecturer at USSH-VNUHCM. She received her D.Sc. in 2003 from Saint-Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts and has published 18 books and 98 scientific papers in Vietnam and abroad. Areas of interest are library and information, sustainable development, natural resources and human resources.