Online Social Presence in E-Learning-Based Librarianship Education and Training Using CMC Tools

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused significant changes in the way people live in almost all parts of the world. Among the changes that occur are the patterns of communication and interaction that are currently mostly done online. The National Library of the Republic of Indonesia also implements a policy of communicating and interacting online in the implementation of various activities, one of which is education and training. Since October 2020, the Education and Training Center of the National Library of the Republic of Indonesia has held online e-learning-based librarianship training. The implementation of e-learning-based education and training uses asynchronous and synchronous Computer-Mediated Communication systems to support the learning process. The use of CMC in online learning provides a new communication experience for education and training participants. Changes in communication patterns from face-to-face to computer-mediated also affect the interaction of training participants. This study aims to determine how the fabric of communication and interaction occurs through Computer-Mediated Communication in creating an online social presence. The method used in this research is a case study with a qualitative approach. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and collecting other supporting documents. The results showed that online communication and interaction in e-learning-based librarianship education and training was quite well established. Although it may feel strange at first, over time the training participants can adjust to online communication and interaction patterns. Participants are more comfortable communicating and interacting using a text-based CMC system than face-to-face virtually.