  The study examined access to library information resources by university
students during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigated
measures that were adopted by academic libraries for smooth delivery of library
information resources to their patrons. It also identified technological tools
that were employed by libraries to facilitate access to library information
resources. We also investigated the challenges faced by students in accessing
library information resources. A systematic literature review approach using
PRISMA guidelines was employed to investigate the relevant literature on the
subject. The keyword search strategy was employed to search for relevant
literature from four scholarly databases Scopus, emerald, Research4life, and
Google Scholar. In this study, 23 studies that fulfilled the criteria were
included. The findings revealed that the majority of the reviewed studies
indicate that, during the COVID-19 pandemic many academic libraries in Africa
adopted different approaches to facilitate access to library information
resources by university students including expanding access to electronic
resources off-campus, virtual reference services, circulation and lending
services. To support access to different library services and information
resources academic libraries in Africa used various digital technological tools
like social media, library websites, email and video conferencing. Moreover,
the study revealed that limited access to internet services and ICT devices,
inadequate electronic library collection and inadequate digital and information
literacy were the major challenges faced by patrons during the pandemic. This
study recommends investment in ICT infrastructures and expanding electronic
resource collections which are vital resources in the digital era.
