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Spatiotemporal Distribution Change of Online Reference During the Time of COVID-19.

The goal of this project was to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the spatiotemporal distribution of the library's online patrons, so that we could assess if the scheduled library reference hours are meeting the needs of the academic community. We collected each online reference patron...

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Published in:Information Technology & Libraries Vol. 41; no. 4; pp. 1 - 15
Main Authors: Gerrish, Thomas, Kong, Ningning Nicole
Format: pictorial research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: American Library Association Dec2022
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      dt: Dec2022
      vid: 41
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      pub: American Library Association
      place: Chicago, Illinois
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        10.6017/ital.v41i4.15097
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        atl: Spatiotemporal Distribution Change of Online Reference During the Time of COVID-19.
      aug:
        au:
          Gerrish, Thomas
          Kong, Ningning Nicole
        affil: Assistant Professor, Purdue University Libraries and School of Information Studies
      sug:
        subj:
          COVID-19 Pandemic
          Libraries, Electronic
          Library Reference Services
          Geographic Factors
          Time Factors
          Human
          Descriptive Statistics
          Analysis of Variance
          United States
      ab: The goal of this project was to identify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the spatiotemporal distribution of the library's online patrons, so that we could assess if the scheduled library reference hours are meeting the needs of the academic community. We collected each online reference patron's location information via their IP address, as well as the timestamp of each online reference instance. The spatiotemporal distribution patterns were analyzed and compared before and after in-person instruction was suspended due to COVID-19 distance protocols and a closing of the campus in the 2020 spring semester. The results show that the geographic origins of reference questions redistributed after COVID-19 protocols were initially implemented and the university community underwent a temporary geographical redistribution. Reference question origins tended to move away from campus to other areas of the state, other states, and internationally. This population redistribution suggested that the library could adjust the online reference schedule to provide better access and service to patrons.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        pictorial
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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