IT in special libraries in Bangladesh: a case study

Date13 February 2009
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/02640470910934650
Published date13 February 2009
Pages149-161
AuthorAnwarul Islam,K.C. Panda
Subject MatterInformation & knowledge management,Library & information science
IT in special libraries in
Bangladesh: a case study
Anwarul Islam
Prime Minister’s Office, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and
K.C. Panda
Postgraduate Department of Library and Information Science,
Sambalpur University, Sambalpur, India
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the current status of special libraries of Bangladesh
and their ability to adapt information technology (IT) in various library operations and services.
Design/methodology/approach – The study is based on the case study method. A structured
questionnaire was distributed among the special libraries of Bangladesh to uncover the status of using
IT by those libraries.
Findings – Being a developing country, Bangladesh is confronted with certain problems to introduce
IT-based services and other facilities in the special libraries. The study has revealed the embryonic
state of IT in the special libraries of Bangladesh.
Originality/value – The paper is an original case study on the application of IT in the Special
Libraries of Bangladesh. It will help web researchers to obtain a precise picture of the application of IT
in these libraries. It will also help researchers to acquaint themselves with IT applications in libraries
in a third world country.
Keywords Communicationtechnologies, Special libraries,Bangladesh
Paper type Case study
Introduction
The phrase “special libraries” encompasses an enormous range of library types which
do not fit comfortably into other categories of libraries such as public library or
academic library. Many special libraries are open to the public, yet they are not
considered to be public libraries, because they do not contain general information
covering a wide spectrum of subjects or topics. Robin aptly remarks that:
... special libraries tend to have a realatively small number of users and have restricted
access to their resources, relatively a small but highly specialised collection (Bauer, 2003, p. 1).
Currently more and more organizations are involved in research and advocacy on
various development issues, particularly in the Social Service and Human
Development Sectors. Res earch in such areas, there fore, generates enormous
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0264-0473.htm
This survey was conducted in 2006-2007 as a background study of the first author’s doctoral
research as a preliminary survey under the funding of LAB-MS Khan Foundation and the special
grant of the Prime Minister of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. This
research was conducted under the guidance of the second author. The authors acknowledge the
help of the authority of the respondent special libraries of Bangladesh and also acknowledge the
authors/editors of the referenced articles.
IT in special
libraries
149
Received 7 January 2008
Revised 23 February 2008
Accepted 4 March 2008
The Electronic Library
Vol. 27 No. 1, 2009
pp. 149-161
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0264-0473
DOI 10.1108/02640470910934650

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