The management of public libraries during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic literature review through PRISMA method

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the literature regarding the impact of global coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) pandemic on PLs and their management responses during COVID-19 pandemic as well as for the post-pandemic era.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic literature review is based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method and includes publications in the English language published at online scholarly resources during the period of COVID-19 outbreak, i.e. from January 2020 to June 2021.

Findings

The number of the eligible and relevant studies for the COVID-19 impact on PLs was 79, which were included in the literature review profiling and in the qualitative analysis.

Originality/value

The systematic review provides a useful overview of existing PL management paradigms that could be contemplated at an organizational, national or international level while developing a strategy for public libraries in the post-pandemic era.

Citation

Kostagiolas, P. and Katsani, A. (2021), "The management of public libraries during COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic literature review through PRISMA method", Library Management, Vol. 42 No. 8/9, pp. 531-549. https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-08-2021-0068