Transforming libraries and information professionals for the industry 4.0 in developing countries: Towards the development of a framework for accelerating change post-Covid-19

During the various stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous countries, including several in Africa, implemented lockdown measures. Unfortunately, libraries and information centres were not deemed essential services providers, resulting in partial operations or complete closures. Among the hardest-hit by the pandemic were developing economies, where libraries, typically non-profit organizations, play a crucial role. These institutions usually rely on funding from the government (in the case of public libraries) or parent institutions, which themselves often depend on government support (as is the case with academic libraries in government-owned institutions). With the economies of these countries suffering and experiencing a slow recovery, libraries in developing nations are likely to face further budgetary constraints. In addition to the economic impact on funding, there is a significant risk of a decline in the literacy rate among children due to the closure of libraries and schools during lockdowns. This paper employs a SWOT analysis to identify the challenges and benefits for libraries and information professionals from both societal and professional perspectives. Despite the obstacles that libraries in the developing world may encounter in the post-pandemic era, as well as during the fourth industrial revolution, there are also valuable opportunities that can be harnessed. One such opportunity is the provision of information services to digitally literate, yet informationally illiterate communities.