Academic Libraries in Unusual Situations

Thesis / purpose of the article ‒ the aim of the article is to present the situation of academic libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, with particular emphasis on the University of Warsaw Library. Method ‒ analysis of the literature, analysis of the situation of the University of Warsaw Library in March-May 2020 on the basis of unpublished reports of heads of BUW organizational units and the author’s own observations and experiences. Results / conclusions ‒ the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic and the size of the risks associated with it cannot be compared with any previous experience of academic libraries, therefore the libraries did not have ready-made procedures and procedures. The example of the University Library in Warsaw shows that in the period of lockdown and remote work, institutions were able to learn and gather valuable experience for future use.