The dramatic changes to work and education in light of the COVID-19 pandemic have put remote education and access to online resources and services in the spotlight. Emergency responses from different stakeholders have sought to address the rapid shift in public needs.

Educational institutions and their libraries have worked to ensure students' access to necessary materials; some governments (e.g. in Ireland and Norway) have offered support to libraries to increase their online offering as public demand for digital resources soared (as much as sixfold in some areas). Many publishers and vendors have launched initiatives to extend and/or offer easier access to their online resources – often following requests or consultations with research and educational institutions, library consortia and other key stakeholders.

There have also been more initiatives to support Open Access - especially for resources that support research on COVID-19 and related areas, or that ensure the continuity of education during lockdowns. However, these have been far from uniform within and across countries, deepening the existing digital divide and creating new inequalities. Under lockdown conditions, lower income, remote and otherwise disadvantaged communities could have limited access or be entirely cut off from work, education, healthcare or other key dimensions of participation in society.

This session examies how the pandemic has highlighted the questions around access to key digital resources and services at a time of crisis, drawing on the experience of libraries, educational institutions and other stakeholders. It aims to take stock of the emergency responses and their impacts; and lessons for the post-COVID world and any future emergencies.

Agenda:

 1. Introduction and welcome. The evolution of digital inclusion challenges and public access solutions – from content to skills and technology. Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development, Local Government Management Agency, Ireland

Establishing the baseline: public access solutions in broadband policies

2. Digital inclusion interventions in libraries – policy implementation, impacts and insights from several countries. Presentation of a DC-PAL report. Valensiya Dresvyannikova, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions

The new challenges: equitable access to content and services during the pandemic. Impacts and emergency responses

3. Access to information during the pandemic - library responses across Africa. Taking stock of achievements and exploring ways to maximize impact. Nkem Osuigwe, African Library & Information Associations & Institutions

4. Libraries supporting response and recovery - from internet access to digital services and beyond. Don Means, Gigabit Libraries Network

5. Helping to provide information access and context in the age of mis- and disinformation. Mark Graham, Director, the Wayback Machine at the Internet Archive. Controlled Digital Lending and Turn All References Blue

6. Access to knowledge in a pandemic: a public health issue? Review of library, publisher & government responses, options available under global IP rules. Teresa Hackett, Electronic Information for Libraries

Moving forward: lessons for the ‘new normal’ and future emergencies

7. Open discussion. Lessons learned from the pandemic response:  what policy changes are needed to ensure equitable access to key digital content for education, culture and research in future emergency situations and in the everyday practices post-COVID?

8.   Conclusion. Takeaway messages, and a look ahead to DC-PAL follow-up work.