Gauging the collection and services of public libraries in Pakistan
| Published date | 02 July 2018 |
| Pages | 244-258 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/GKMC-11-2017-0089 |
| Date | 02 July 2018 |
| Author | Nosheen Fatima Warraich,Amara Malik,Kanwal Ameen |
Gauging the collection and services
of public libraries in Pakistan
Nosheen Fatima Warraich,Amara Malik and Kanwal Ameen
Department of Information Management, University of the Punjab,
Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
Purpose –Public library’s core function is to meet the changing needs of challenging users by providing
access to library collection and services. This study aims to explore the current status of public libraries’
collection,services, users, staff, physical facilitiesand IT infrastructure in Punjab, themost populous province
of Pakistan. It further investigates the problems faced by these public libraries and puts forward practical
solution.
Design/methodology/approach –This is a quantitative study based on questionnairesurvey. A semi-
structured questionnairewas designed to collect data. In total, 21 Library and Information Science graduates
were employedto ensure the physical visit of all 176 public libraries in 36 districts of the province.
Findings –The findings revealed that with a few exceptions, public libraries were mostly in a poor
condition. Absence of professional staff, out-dated collections, dilapidated library buildings and lack of IT
infrastructure were the major issues prevailing in the libraries. Furthermore, little interest of political
leadershipand higher authorities is observed in the developmentof public library system.
Practical implications –This data will be helpful for policy anddecision makers to plan and develop
human resources, physical facilities and IT infrastructure in libraries. Findings may facilitate higher
authoritiesfor designing better services and strengtheningpublic library system in the province.
Originality/value –This is a baseline study on public libraries’status in the province. It aims to fill the
gap by identifying total number of existingpublic libraries and exploring their current status along with the
problemsfaced by these libraries.
Keywords Public libraries, Public library system, Directory of public libraries,
Public library services, Punjab library foundation, Punjab-Pakistan,
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Public libraries are local gateways to knowledge,serve as community places and provide a
platform for lifelonglearning. They have a fundamental role in developing andnourishing a
real democratic nation. Pakistan is a country where democracy is not deep rooted. One
possible reason may be the poor public library system (PLS) in the country. Pakistan has a
long history of proposed plans for building new and strengthening already built public
libraries such as establishing,“Board for the Advancement of Sindhi Culture (1955)”to build
new libraries, “DemonstrationPublic Library”, a joint project of the Government of Pakistan
and UNESCO during 1960s, a comprehensive plan for establishing organized PLS in
Pakistan by technical working group and Ministry of Education, Pakistan and Technical
Working Group (1984).“Public library pilot project”proposed by Pakistan Library
Association, a proposal for the establishment and support of 50,000 “People’s Oriented
Public Libraries”inEducation Policy of 1972-1980. Foreign library experts were alsoinvited
to visit Pakistan to prepare plans for the establishment and development of PLSs in the
country. These included Australian expert LC Key in 1956 and an American expert
Donovan in 1974 and 1984 (Haider,1998;Usmani, 1996).
GKMC
67,4/5
244
Received7 November 2017
Revised18 December 2017
Accepted9 January 2018
GlobalKnowledge, Memory and
Communication
Vol.67 No. 4/5, 2018
pp. 244-258
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2514-9342
DOI 10.1108/GKMC-11-2017-0089
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