Abstract:
A nationwide curfew was imposed from in Sri Lanka from the 20th March 2020 with
occasional relaxations, except for high-risk zones due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The
services of public and private institutions including Libraries, Archives and Museums
(LAMs) and Library and Information Science (LIS) teaching institutions were
affected across Sri Lanka. After 04 months of closure, the country started getting back
to the regular life style, amidst the inhibiting mental conditions such as fear, worry,
uncertainty, anxiety, sense of loss, isolation, nervousness due to lack of
communication etc. do exist. Safety guidelines were published by the National
Library and Documentation Services Board of Sri Lanka (NLDSB), in consultation
with NILIS, University of Colombo, and the Sri Lanka Library Association (SLLA).
The NILIS published an Exit Strategy from Covid-19 in partnership with the
University of Colombo, NLDSB, Sri Lanka National Archives (SLNA), and the Sri
Lanka Library Association (SLLA) on 27th April 2020. LIS education institutions
brought regular teaching-learning practice onto the online platforms such as Zoom
and WhatsApp. However, poor data signals and non availability of smart devices to
access learning materials were the problems reported, specially by students residing
in remote areas. NLDSB continued to publish advisories and circulars and created a
Web site specially designed for Covid-19 related information for libraries. On 9th
May 2020 NLDSB published directions on how to reopen the libraries step-by-step.
A series of webinars and workshops were conducted by several parties. The Asia
Foundation donated Rs.1 million worth protective instruments and disinfectants for
public libraries in the Colombo district.
