Libraries Reaction of Romania to the Crisis Caused by COVID 19

Authors

  • Agnes Erich Valahia University of Targoviste

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18662/po/11.3/218

Keywords:

libraries, crisis management, information literacy, social media, communication

Abstract

Nowadays, given the global crisis generated by the new coronavirus COVID-19 that led to the installation of a global pandemic, the role of libraries, regardless of their type (public, academic, university, specialized etc.), is very important, given that they represent the main sources of trust in the distribution of verified information. The way they responded to the challenge was different from case to case. Public libraries were the first to realize that they need to find solutions to stay in touch with their users, using the new media technologies, bringing to them credible and up-to-date information on topics of interest to each citizen or for each institution. Knowing the aspects of information literacy (especially digital literacy) have proved indispensable to be able to relate in this virtual form. In this paper we want to do a research on the mechanisms identified by each type of library to come in real support of users, given that fake news has invaded social media and it has become increasingly difficult for ordinary people to assess the correctness and the veracity of the information. The analysis was performed on all 41 county libraries plus the Metropolitan Library of Bucharest, National Library of Romania, Library of the Romanian Academy, as well as on a number of university and specialized libraries, the aim being to observe their reaction capacity and adaptability in times of crisis.

Author Biography

Agnes Erich, Valahia University of Targoviste

Graduate of the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Letters, Department of Library and Information Science; graduate of "Valahia" University of Târgovişte, Faculty of Law; Postgraduate Studies in Computer Science; Master in European Public Administration. In 2005 she obtained Ph.D. in History at "Valahia" University of Targoviste. At present she is a Ph.D. professor at the Faculty of Political Sciences, Letters and Communication, at "Valahia" University of Târgovişte, and  manager of the ”I. H. Rădulescu” Dâmbovița County Library. She has participated in numerous internships in the country and abroad, at conferences and scientific events, focusing mainly on the field of information and communication sciences, as well as on the history of books and writing. The research activity has materialized in the publication of numerous books, articles and studies.

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Published

2020-10-05

How to Cite

Erich, A. (2020). Libraries Reaction of Romania to the Crisis Caused by COVID 19. Postmodern Openings, 11(3), 332-343. https://doi.org/10.18662/po/11.3/218

Issue

Section

Research on Covid-19 Pandemic

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