The Impact of COVID-19 on E-book Reading Behavior: The Case of the Municipal Library of Prague

Abstract

COVID-19 has changed the behavior of consumers of all services, including public library readers, related to the unavailability of services during lockdown periods and other restrictions precluding physical presence in the library. The aim of this case study was to learn what effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on e-book readers and their behavior. This article presents the results of the analysis of data from empirical surveys undertaken in August 2019 and August 2020 in the Municipal Library in Prague (Czech Republic). Findings revealed that readers do not prefer e-books due to the pandemic situation. Paper book preferences still prevail. The results show that the pandemic slightly adjusted the preference of book genres. The pandemic did not change readers' willingness to pay for library services but rather forced public libraries to adjust their service offerings and distribution channels.