The current status of innovation in the university libraries of Pakistan
| Pages | 541-552 |
| Date | 12 November 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-08-2017-0085 |
| Published date | 12 November 2018 |
| Author | Sania Awais,Kanwal Ameen |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries,Library strategy,Library promotion |
The current status of innovation
in the university libraries
of Pakistan
Sania Awais
Department of Library,
Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan, and
Kanwal Ameen
Department of Information Management,
University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine the current status of innovations in the university
libraries of Pakistan because the desire for reshaping the university libraries is now necessary to fulfill the
mission of higher education, i.e. to be competitive and compatible in the international market.
Design/methodology/approach –The content is based on the literature. For this purpose, the researchers’
20 years’experience and the websites of all the 183 universities of Pakistan have been reviewed. A checklist of
40 innovations (Jantz, 2013), used in ACRL libraries and prepared by the researcher, is used as a yardstick to
measure the innovation status of university libraries.
Findings –The findings indicate that a large majority of university libraries, ranging from 70 to 100 percent,
have not adopted these innovations. Only 15 percent of university libraries all over Pakistan are relatively
better on the innovation adoption scale.
Research limitations/implications –The data are explored by reviewing the websites of university
libraries of Pakistan. Viewpoint of librarian and administrators of university librarian is not taken at
this stage.
Practical implications –It will be helpful for the practitioner community to brain think on serious grounds
for future improvements by having a clear picture of current status.
Social implications –By analyzing the standings of university libraries of Pakistan vs developed
countries, the professionals would get awareness and they might be take initiatives for extending the services
suitable and compatible with the present and future needs of users. Ultimately, profession and users
satisfaction could be obtained.
Originality/value –The aspects discussed in the context of Pakistan may catch the attention of policy
makers for the sake of improvement of university libraries, and growth of their professionals. It is further
assumed that this situation is similar to the other neighboring developing countries. So, the work will raise the
awareness among professionals of other countries too.
Keywords Pakistan, Innovation, Developing countries, Change management, University libraries-status,
Website review
Paper type General review
Introduction
Rapid advancement in ICTs has brought global changes and influenced every facet of life.
The vast social, cultural and economic changes caused by the rapid advancement in the said
Information Communication Technologies have affected universities and their respective
libraries. Changes in pedagogy, teaching learning styles in higher education, are queuing up
sharply for a quick acceptance of the rule of the survival of the fittest. To be fittest in the
twenty-first century, university libraries need to be ready for introducing changes and
innovations in their existing setup according to the need of the time. The desire for
reshaping the services, environment and facilities in university libraries is now becoming a
necessity for supporting the teaching, learning and research activities of the parent
institutions; otherwise, university libraries run the real risk of losing their identities and
become obsolete in this new Age of Information.
Library Management
Vol. 39 No. 8/9, 2018
pp. 541-552
© Emerald PublishingLimited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-08-2017-0085
Received 31 August 2017
Revised 16 October 2017
Accepted 18 January 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
541
University
libraries of
Pakistan
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