Reshaping Academic Library Services: A Systematic Review of Document Delivery, Resource Sharing, and Interlibrary Loan During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study investigates the adaptations, challenges, and effectiveness of document delivery, resource-sharing, and interlibrary loan (ILL) services in academic libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to analyze the strategies libraries employed to maintain access to scholarly resources and assess the impact of these changes on library operations. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework to ensure methodological rigor, transparency, and replicability. The study systematically searched three bibliographic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed) and two publisher platforms (ScienceDirect and Taylor & Francis Online) using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The selection process involved four stages: identification, screening, eligibility assessment, and inclusion, ultimately yielding 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2024. Data extraction and thematic analysis were performed to categorize findings into key areas of adaptation, challenges, and emerging trends in document delivery, resource sharing, and interlibrary loan (ILL) services. Libraries rapidly adapted to pandemic-induced disruptions by transitioning to digital and contactless service models, including Click and Collect, Curbside pickup, home delivery, and expanded electronic document delivery. The study highlights the evolution of interlibrary loan networks, where physical lending was suspended in favor of digital fulfillment and collaborative initiatives such as HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access Service (ETAS) and Resource Sharing during COVID-19 (RSCVD). However, significant challenges emerged, including licensing restrictions, budget constraints, technological barriers, staffing shortages, and disparities in digital access. Libraries responded by enhancing consortial partnerships, expanding open-access repositories, negotiating temporary access agreements, and implementing digital literacy training to address accessibility gaps. This study offers a comprehensive synthesis of the pandemic-driven transformations in academic library services, emphasizing institutional resilience and the long-term implications of these changes. It underscores the critical need for sustained investment in digital infrastructure, cooperative resource-sharing frameworks, and adaptive policy measures to strengthen libraries’ preparedness for future crises.