Post-pandemic perspectives

library and information science students' expectations of library services at National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated unprecedented disruptions in academic library service delivery worldwide, compelling institutions to hastily adjust to digital and remote access. This article investigated Zimbabwe's National University of Science and Technology (NUST) library and information science students' perceptions and expectations of library services  after the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative research approach was employed, utilising the LibQual survey, which measures service quality across three dimensions: Affect of service, Information control, and Library as a place. A census of 60 students was surveyed using Google Forms, yielding a 90% response rate. The findings revealed that the pandemic significantly transformed the landscape of NUST Library services, revealing gaps between students' expectations and perceptions of the service quality, highlighting areas for improvement in staff engagement, resource accessibility, and service evaluation tools. The results underscore the need for strategic enhancements to align library services with evolving user needs in a post-COVID-19 academic environment.