Library computing services in rural Texas during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Du, Yunfei

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/113751 Copy

Description

Title

Library computing services in rural Texas during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Author(s)

Du, Yunfei

Issue Date

2022-02-28

Keyword(s)

• Rural Libraries
• Public Computing
• Library Statistics
• Visualization
• Digital Divide

Abstract

Library services in the US were reduced during the COVID-19 in 2020, and ru-ral residents were particularly impacted. With the expectation of US federal in-vestment on infrastructures, computing support in rural areas has gained attention from communities. To understand the status of library services in rural areas, this paper analyzed the 2020 Texas Public Library Statistics, and a small portion of 2019 data, and examined library computing services from libraries with a service population of less than 5,000. Although libraries opened only 76% of weeks in 2020 comparing to 2019, their public computer uses dropped around 50%. Paired sample t-tests suggested statistically significant differences on library annual vis-its, opening hours, and computer use, indicating a much-needed support on computing resources in rural areas as the result of the pandemic.

Publisher

iSchools

Type of Resource

Other

Language

eng

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/113751

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2022 is held by Yunfei Du. Copyright permissions, when appropriate, must be obtained directly from the author.

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