Academic libraries' leaders' decision-making during the COVID-19 crisis

Area of Science:

• Library and Information Science
• Higher Education Management
• Crisis Management

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to academic libraries, questioning their value and operational models.
• Libraries faced financial constraints and operational difficulties due to their reliance on physical spaces and services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the decision-making processes of academic library leaders during the initial year of the COVID-19 crisis.
• To identify the key challenges and decision drivers for academic library leaders in response to the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating quantitative and qualitative data from prior research.
• Primary data was collected by the author to supplement existing studies on academic library leadership during the crisis.

Main Results:

• Leaders grappled with challenges including restricted access to physical resources, staff and patron safety concerns, and adapting to new work modalities.
• Decisions were often made rapidly by small groups or individuals due to time and information constraints.

Conclusions:

• Academic library leaders' decision-making was crucial for navigating the COVID-19 crisis and ensuring continued library relevance.
• The study highlights the specific decision-making context for academic library leaders, differentiating it from broader library responses.