REALM Project

The impact of COVID on libraries, archives, and museums: Resource roundup

Museums and libraries were among the first organizations to provide their audiences with access to content, services, and support in the face of a global pandemic. As COVID-19 has persisted for more than a year, those efforts have continued; meanwhile, these organizations have undergone incredible losses and cuts. These resources attempt to document the pandemic’s impact on the library, archive, and museum field.

Note: These examples may have changed since being reviewed. Last accessed July 15, 2021; new items marked with "NEW."

NEW: “Museums, museum professionals, and COVID-19: third survey,” from the International Council of Museums, published July 2021: An international perspective on museum activities, reopening statuses, and staffing levels.

“State of America’s Libraries Special Report: COVID-19,” from ALA, published April 2021: This year’s issue focuses on the impact of the novel coronavirus on all types of libraries during the previous calendar year and includes a snapshot of the library communities’ resilience, determination, and innovation in these unprecedented circumstances.

“Where Are We: The Latest on Library Reopening Strategies,” from Library Journal, published February 2021: Library leaders share how things have changed since March 2020, their takeaways, and continuing challenges.

“National Snapshot of COVID-19 Impact on United States Museums,” from the American Alliance of Museums, published November 2020: Survey documenting staffing, visitation, and financial impacts of the pandemic.

“Museums, museum professionals, and COVID-19: follow-up survey,” from the International Council of Museums, published November 2020: An international perspective on museum activities, reopening statuses, and staffing levels.

“Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on People in the Museum Field,” from the American Alliance of Museums, published April 2021: Survey documenting pandemic impact on museum professionals.

“Museums around the world in the face of COVID-19,” from UNESCO, published April 2021: Provisional assessment of the vulnerability of the world’s museums and options for moving forward.