Library management at the Provincial Information Center of Medical Sciences of Ciego de Ávila during COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: medical libraries play a fundamental role in providing reliable scientific information, according to the needs of users.

Objective: to describe the results of library management in the Library of the Provincial Information Center of Medical Sciences during COVID-19.

Methods: a descriptive study was carried out in the Library of the Provincial Information Center of Medical Sciences, from January to December 2020. The following variables were studied: total users served by months and by categories, and actions by type of service. Ethical principles were met.

Results: in 2020, a total of 1 516 users was served and the months with the highest influx were March and September. The users who visited the library the most were: medical science students (41,69 %); specialists (27,70 %), residents (21,44 %), other professionals (5,47 %) and other users (3,69 %). The services with the highest demand were: information search (1 933), selective dissemination of information (1 038), access to digital information (2 272 hours) and correction of bibliographic references (2 272).

Conclusions: the results obtained in the library management of the Ciego de Ávila´s Provincial Information Center of Medical Sciences in the difficult context of the COVID-19 pandemic are shown. It was possible to maintain essential face-to-face services and remote service sessions were increased, with strict compliance with hygienic-sanitary measures.