Abstract

COVID-19 has been affecting the library, not to mention society as a whole. Especially, there are many changes in the role and service of the university libraries as all the classes of the universities are turned into non-face-to-face and the use of the university libraries is restricted. The changes in users’ use of information and communication behavior due to COVID-19 could be an opportunity for new utilization of human and material resources the university libraries have and for the development of services. However, on the contrary, the university libraries could face another crisis if they fail to respond appropriately to current changes. Therefore, it is necessary to grasp, analyze the impact of COVID-19 and plan how to respond. A survey on the effects of COVID-19 and the response of the university libraries and the perceptions of the university libraries found that most university libraries are responding appropriately to COVID-19. However, a survey on the perceptions of the present and future of the university libraries under COVID-19 showed that many survey respondents think COVID-19 would have a negative impact on the university libraries. This means that the changes caused by COVID-19 are causing a crisis and anxiety in the university libraries. Therefore, by working hard together, the university libraries need to present the university libraries’ new role, service and direction in the post-COVID-19 era as well as responding to the current situation.