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Libraries staying connected with patrons during the pandemic

 The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted every facet of life, and one sector profoundly affected in Ghana was higher education, particularly academic libraries. With academic activities pivoting around dynamic libraries, the need for connection during the pandemic prompted a surge in the adoption of collaborative technologies. In a recent study in the Volta Region of Ghana, librarians were found to embrace tools like Zoom, Moodle, WhatsApp, email, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Skype to stay connected with patrons. The decision-making dynamics, however, revealed a noteworthy aspect – non-librarians played a significant role in the tool acquisition process.

This study, employing the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology II model, sheds light on the motivations driving Ghanaian libraries to embrace emerging technologies. The librarians' criteria, rooted in performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and facilitating conditions, offer valuable insights into the evolving landscape of library services in the new normal. Despite the challenges, the study emphasizes the resilience of libraries in staying connected with users during unprecedented times. The findings of this study could be found at http://tinyurl.com/5xf2j34y

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