Purpose: This paper examined the innovative strategies deployed by academic libraries swift measures to cushion the effects on users during COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to identify innovative library services embraced by university libraries in foremost university libraries in the world. Design/methodology/approach: Using the purposive sampling method, libraries of ten foremost universities in the world were chosen for this study. The library websites of the selected universities were visited and explored to obtain explicit information in their response to the pandemic. Data was analysed qualitatively using content analysis. Findings: Findings revealed that, academic libraries of foremost institutions in the world responded to the pandemic through a modification of physical access to library services with little or no physical contact. Also, the study found that, the services by academic libraries provided ranged from conversion of print resources to soft copies, deployment of personalized library services to provision of online library services and resources. Originality: This study provides insight into best practices taken by academic libraries of highly ranked universities in the world, in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Research limitations/implications: The limitations of this study are that, it focused on only ten purposively selected universities, therefore generalization of result should be done with caution. Also, the study considered only academic libraries. Practical implications: The findings provide insight for library and information science (LIS) professionals on sensitive approaches to information service delivery beyond what suffice for day-to-day library services in times of disaster such as COVID-19 pandemic.