Syed Jalaluddin Haider

MPhil and PhD library and information science research in Pakistan: an evaluation

Purpose – The aim of this study is to provide an insight to international readers into the perspective of doctoral level research in Pakistan. The factors which led to the start of this program and difficulties encountered in this regard at different universities are discussed.Design/methodology/approach – The study is mainly based on review of the literature. Research theses approved at MPhil and PhD level are evaluated. Some information collected from Library and Information Science (LIS) schools through personal communication is also provided.Findings – The problems that did not allow success in the doctoral programs in LIS were: lack of encouragement by seniors in a real sense; low esteem for indigenous PhD degree in the eyes of fellow professionals; little or no impact of early recipients of the degree on profession; and non‐availability of financial assistance to the prospective candidates. Of the findings mention is made of: no fixed criteria for admission; the research topics do not concern the pr...

Not financial issues alone: moving towards better resource sharing in Pakistan

Awareness of resource sharing in Pakistan in its present day form is a phenomenon of the 1980s. This is primarily attributed to problems encountered by libraries with regard to the paucity of resources, lack of funds and absence of bibliographic and physical accessibility to limited resources. Projects directed towards resource sharing were planned and directed in the areas of business and economics (LABELNET), legislative information (Parliamentary Development Project) and agriculture (MART). But none could be implemented owing to the absence of proper planning, lack of competent human resources, non‐availability of standards, non‐existence of bibliographic apparatus and absence of leadership. Suggestions include: formation of a task force for development of standards; need for an active role on the part of the Pakistan Library Association and National Library of Pakistan for the development of awareness of computers in library operations to accelerate cooperative activities; and revision of the curricul...

Status of Library Research in Pakistan

Library rcsearch in Pakistan is assuming much greater importance in the dcveloping countries, and is likely to be a major concern in the coming years. A numbcr of factors may bc attributed for consciousness towards this end. These may be summamed äs: (a) the Institution of library education at the graduate and postgraduale level leading to a masters degree and even doctoratc in Library Science (b) the growth in library resources (c) the greater usc of librarics and the changing requirements of library users and finally (d) the impact of innovations and changes emanating from the international schemes (e.g. UBC, ISBD) and other international influences. In addition to these factors there is one more important factor i.e., the need to adopt sound tcchniques due to the failure of existing processes and methods, devised and introduced under the Anglo-American influence, to meet the present day needs of indepcndent countries. With the growth in publications and ever increasing reader population the problem has been more seriously feit in rccent years. Attention to this effect was drawn by Prof. Cantwell Smith, äs early äs 1965, who suggested the »adaptations, innovations, extrapolations, even transformations« in the existing Systems for better organization and servicing of materials of the Oriental countries. Smiths remarks, in fact, were directed to librarians responsible for meeting the requirements of a handful of specialists interested in area study programmes; on the other band the librarians in this part of the world are confronted with a dual problem i.e. the problem of organizing and servicing the classical and modern multilingual collections äs well äs meeting the altered expectations of an ever growing rcadcr population with generally no experience of library use. This makes ground for research aimed at working out concepts and procedures, keeping in view the above noted dispositions, which will make possible the effective and efficient organization and servicing of all types of materials. Like in other developing countries, the libraries in Pakistan are faced with a variety of issues bibliographic, technical and administrative. But unfortunately very littie attention has had been paid so far to the solution of such

Evolving paradigm and challenges of collection management (CM) in university libraries of Pakistan

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore some major challenges in the area of collection management faced by university libraries in Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach – The methodology includes a literature review and a survey of university libraries in Pakistan in 2004.Findings – The challenges regarding collection management in university libraries in Pakistan are: handling the hybrid character of collections, service to users, training of collection management staff, collection evaluation, resource sharing and preservation.Originality/value – This paper provides an example of the challenges of university libraries in a developing country which must plan and develop a customized paradigm of library service which combines the traditional and modern services.

School Libraries in Pakistan

School library development in Pakistan is in its embryonic stage. Only a negligible percentage of schools under government control have some kind of a library. The existing school libraries are confronted with problems of poor collections, lack of proper organization, absence of trained personnel, inadequate accommodation and non-availability of funds. This situation is attributed to defects in the educational system, lack of true concept of school library programme, dearth of children’s literature in indigenous languages, non-existence of school library standards, etc. Suggestions include: formulation of standards, appropriations for school libraries in the regular budgets of educational institutions, introduction of school librarianship as one of the subjects in teachers’ training colleges and translation of selected foreign titles.

Public libraries and development planning in Pakistan: a review of past efforts and future needs

Surveying the growth of public libraries in Pakistan prior to and following independence, this paper shows that development has been at best a piecemeal affair and at worst non‐existent. Although some libraries seek to fulfil their goal of providing quality service to the public, most are hampered by overwhelming economic, social and educational problems. Notwithstanding this gloomy scenario, it is suggested that library planning based on awareness of indigenous needs and with realistic aims can achieve far more than has been the case in the past. Six factors are suggested as essential in any effective public library planning process in Pakistan; these may be valid in other developing countries as well.

Libraries and Library Agencies in Pakistan: Part II

This paper discusses the origin and development of libraries and librarianship in the territories constituting Pakistan. Library development in independent Pakistan progressed without planning in the absence of a national library. The National Library was opened in 1993, Although irregulär, the Pakistan National Bibliography from 1962 onward has been published. Between 1000 and 1300 books are published each year. There is no library legislation. Maintained by local bodies; the 281 existing public libraries present a gloomy picture. The university libraries are the most developed in respect of resources, its organization and Services. The condition of 500 College libraries is unsatisfactory. The school library development is in its embryonic stage. Special libraries are in the process of transformation from their traditional approach to modernity. The concept of computer-oriented Information is gaining ground. Six post-graduate library schools turn out approximately 200 graduates annually. The Pakistan Library Association failed to provide an effective leadership.

Acquisition and collection development in Pakistan

Abstract This is a analysis of constraints encountered by Pakistani libraries in procurement of books from abroad. The country is dependent on import for nearly 90% of its requirements. University and special libraries share the major portion of the current acquisitions. The acquisition process is marred by a number of problems, i.e., lack of proper management, absence of competent personnel, nonexistence of acquisition policy statements, nonexistence of selection aids, ever shrinking library budgets, fluctuating rate of the rupee, inflation, etc. Other restrictions include uncertain import policy, trade embargoes against some countries, fiscal policy and hurdles in customs. British books dominated the import trade. Recommendations for improving the situation of Pakistani libraries are made.

Library Funding in Pakistan: A Survey

The paper reports on a research study conducted to find out the funding situation of large libraries in Pakistan. It considers their funding sources, satisfaction with present funding, funding needs and the activities for which they demand more funding. The methodologies used included a literature review and a questionnaire survey. The results reveal that libraries in Pakistan have been provided funds without the use of any formula. Provincial governments are the major source of library funding in the country. Libraries also receive funds from the federal government and from their parent institutions. Some libraries also generate their own funds, which include endowments and bank profit (interest) on library security money. Most of the libraries are dissatisfied with their present funding. Among them college and university libraries are more dissatisfied. Libraries demand large increases in their budgets to fund a variety of services including the purchase of the latest materials, the use of modern technology, the improvement in professional status, the organization of materials and the improvement of the standard of library services.

Public Libraries Facilities in Pakistan

Abstract Pakistan is in dire need of a functioning public library system. A profile of the country of Pakistan, and a history of the library in Pakistan, is offered. Pakistans literacy rate is one of the lowest in the world: 37 percent. In rural areas, it is 27 percent; in urban areas, 58 percent. Literacy is defined by the government as the ability to write ones name in any one of Pakistans languages or in English. The general library history is short-lived. The current system needs much improvement. The author identifies five major factors responsible for the unsatisfactory state of affairs of Pakistans public libraries.