Health sciences library workshops in the COVID era: librarian perceptions and decision making

Area of Science:

• Library and Information Science
• Health Sciences Education
• Pandemic Response

Background:

• Academic health sciences libraries play a crucial role in delivering educational workshops.
• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid adaptation in educational delivery methods.
• Understanding the impact on workshop formats and attendance is vital for future planning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on academic health sciences library workshops.
• To assess changes in workshop delivery formats (in-person vs. online).
• To evaluate shifts in workshop attendance and participant satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to members of the Association of American Health Sciences Libraries in March 2022.
• The survey collected data on live workshop delivery methods across three distinct time periods.
• A chi-square test of association was used to analyze the relationship between time period and workshop format.

Main Results:

• A significant association was found between the time period and the primary delivery method of workshops (p < .005).
• During the pandemic's height, 91% of workshops moved online, with 60% reporting increased attendance.
• In late 2021, 65% of workshops remained online, and 43% reported higher attendance than pre-pandemic levels.

Conclusions:

• Academic health sciences libraries largely transitioned to online workshops during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• A significant portion of libraries maintained online workshop delivery even after restrictions eased.
• Workshop attendance and satisfaction levels were generally maintained or improved during this transition.