Public library as a social beacon in time of COVID-19

Cilj. Cilj je predstaviti rezultate istraživanja korisnika Knjižnice i čitaonice Bogdana Ogrizovića, Knjižnice grada Zagreba o korištenju resursa narodne knjižnice u izvanrednoj situaciji pandemije virusa SARS-CoV-2 i bolesti COVID-19 koju taj virus uzrokuje. Pristup/metodologija/dizajn. Za potrebe istraživanja u radu korištena je metoda ankete uz primjenu tiskanog anketnog upitnika u prostoru Knjižnice i čitaonice Bogdana Ogrizovića, Knjižnice grada Zagreba uz primjenu prigodnog uzorka ispitanika. Rezultati. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su kontinuirano zanimanje korisnika Knjižnice i čitaonice Bogdana Ogrizovića, Knjižnice grada Zagreba prema navedenoj knjižnici, unatoč izvanrednoj situaciji. Rezultati su također pokazali povećano korištenje digitalnih izvora informacija tijekom razdoblja u kojem je knjižnica bila zatvorena zbog pandemije. Rezultati su pokazali i koje su usluge knjižnice bile najtraženije tijekom razdoblja u kojem je ona bila zatvorena zbog pandemije. Nadalje, rezultati ukazuju na pretežitu orijentaciju korisnika prema tiskanoj građi i želju za povećanom nabavom te vrste građe, ali da se usporedno nabavlja i digitalna građa. Praktična primjena. Rezultati istraživanja korisnika Knjižnice i čitaonice Bogdana Ogrizovića, Knjižnice grada Zagreba primjenjivi su u planiranju nabave građe, kao i u planiranju godišnjih programa knjižnice, uključujući i dugoročne planove razvoja digitalnih izvora informacija u narodnim knjižnicama. Društveni značaj. Rad izravno ukazuje na stabilan položaj narodne knjižnice u lokalnoj zajednici i potrebu korisnika za uslugama narodnih knjižnica u izvanrednoj i kriznoj situaciji izazvanoj pandemijom koronavirusa i potresom, čime narodne knjižnice nastavljaju biti stup društva kada su u pitanju informacijske i srodne usluge lokalnoj zajednici. Originalnost/vrijednost. Originalnost rada ogleda se u činjenici da je istraživanje korisnika Knjižnice i čitaonice Bogdana Ogrizovića, Knjižnice grada Zagreba provedeno u izvanrednoj i kriznoj situaciji, a riječ je o temi kojom se narodne knjižnice rjeđe bave dok takav događaj traje.Purpose. The aim of the paper is to present the results of the research of users of the Library and Reading Room Bogdan Ogrizović, Zagreb City Libraries about the use of library resources in the crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes. Approach/methodology/design. A printed questionnaire was used as a principal method for research in the premises of the Library and Reading Room Bogdan Ogrizović, Zagreb City Libraries on a convenience sample of research participants. Findings. The results of the research have shown a continuing interest of the library users for the Library and Reading Room Bogdan Ogrizović, Zagreb City Libraries in spite of an emergency situation caused by Covid. The results have also shown an increased use of digital information resources in the period of time when the library was closed due to the pandemic. The results showed which library services were used the most when the library was closed also due to the pandemic. Furthermore, the results indicated a dominant orientation of the library users towards printed library material as well as the desire for the increased acquisition of this type of library material, together with the digital versions in the future. Practical implications. The results of the research of library users in the Library and Reading Room Bogdan Ogrizović, Zagreb City Libraries are applicable in the planning process of library material acquisition as well as for the development of annual programs in libraries and long-term plans of development of digital information resources in public libraries. Social implications. The paper indicates a stable position of public libraries in local communities and the constant need of users for public libraries in an emergency situation caused by the pandemic and an earthquake. Therefore, public libraries continue being a pillar of society in emergency situations and crises offering their information and related library services to the local community. Originality/value. The research of the library users of the Library and Reading Room Bogdan Ogrizović, Zagreb City Libraries was conducted during ongoing emergency situation and crisis which is a topic less researched in public libraries. The research in this article is a rare example of an investigation of public library users in a real emergency situation