Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze to what extent the strategic actions implemented by the libraries contribute to the containment of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, without compromising the quality of library services for their learning communities. Design/methodology/approach: The research has a mixed methodology: qualitative and quantitative with a technique of documentary review and statistical analysis of data through FanPage Karma software. The documents are public and are part of the teaching programs of the universities, webinars and courses given through accounts and official sites of the Mexican Federal Government, social networks, as well as groups of experts in national and international librarianship. Findings: The research documents and describes the library services that have emerged in libraries since the quarantine and isolation period established by the Ministry of Public Education. It also shows the strategic actions adopted by universities (their advantages and disadvantages) and the digital competencies of the library professionals to meet the information demands of their communities. Additionally, actions implemented to provide a rapid response are discussed so that they can later be improved to have a comprehensive framework for improving quality in the remote library service. Originality/value: This research contributes value to the field by critically analyzing libraries’ distance services, their innovations and the necessary professional competences required to achieve the institutional academic goals. Additionally, relevant services in the digital context are described.