Professional development through social media applications: a study of female librarians in Pakistan

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/ILS-04-2017-0028
Pages342-353
Published date10 July 2017
Date10 July 2017
AuthorArif Khan,Jia Tina Du
Subject MatterLibrary & information science,Librarianship/library management,Library & information services
Professional development through
social media applications: a study
of female librarians in Pakistan
Arif Khan
Department of Library, Pakistan Academy for Rural Development,
Peshawar, Pakistan, and
Jia Tina Du
School of Information Technology and Mathematical Sciences,
University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
Abstract
Purpose This paper aims to explore the extent of use of socialmedia by Pakistani female librarians for
professional development and their perception of its usefulness. The paper also attempts to nd out social
characteristics that inuence the use of social media among female librarians for career and professional
development(PD).
Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through an online survey (using self-
administered structured questionnaire) from 102 female librarians in Pakistan regarding usage frequency,
perception, choice of librarianship as a profession and perceived benets of social media. The list of
participants was obtained from the Directory of Pakistani Library Professionals compiled by Sada-e-
Librarian (a non-protLIS professional organization). Data collectionsalso include online interviews through
Facebookchat with 20 key informants selected from the participantsof the questionnaire survey.
Findings The study reveals that the majorityof Pakistani female librarians is well aware of social media
and uses it frequently.They are found to make extensive use of social media for PD and perceive social media
as a useful tool for PD. However, socialmedia is judged to be less helpful in acquiring technical skills. The
study found a number of factorsaffecting the use of social media for PD among female librariansin Pakistan.
These factors include social characteristicssuch as privacy, parents years of schooling, marital status and
family support.
Originality/value This study is among the rst attempts to discover social characteristics, the use of
social mediaand its relationship with PD among femalelibrarians in Pakistan.
Keywords Social media, Social computing, Professional development, Capacity building,
Social networking, Facebooking, Women librarians
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
With the increased use and broad utilization of the Web in recent years, the traditional
function of the libraries as a physical accumulation of research material is experiencing a
paradigm shift.
The role of a librarian has changed from collection developers to content managers.
Library users are changing into patrons with growing desires and different kinds of
demands. With the emergence of new technologies and the growing competition of the
digital age, social media has become a very important communication space for survival.
Users become friendson Facebook, update their status, post frequently,use emoticons, write
stories on blogs, take pictures and upload them on Flicker and shoot videos and distribute
ILS
118,7/8
342
Received25 April 2017
Revised8 May 2017
7 June2017
Accepted21 June 2017
Informationand Learning Science
Vol.118 No. 7/8, 2017
pp. 342-353
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2398-5348
DOI 10.1108/ILS-04-2017-0028
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2398-5348.htm

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