CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
FOR LIBRARINSHIP IN PAKISTAN
Ch.Shafiq-ur-Rehman
Senior Librarian,
Punjab University, Lahore
Pervaiz Ahmad
Assistant Professor (LIS),
AIOU, Islamabad
Abstract:
This paper, based on review of literature, observation, and informal
conversations, discusses various challenges regarding finance,
collection development, ICTs, human resources, library education,
library association and research & development faced by library
profession in Pakistan. The opportunities to meet these challenges
have also been explored.
Keywords: Library challenges and opportunities (Pakistan);
Librarianship (Pakistan); Library issues; Library profession in
Pakistan.
Introduction
Library profession in Pakistan is making progress but with slow pace. There are a
number of social, economic, organizational and technological challenges affecting the
libraries and librarianship in this era. Literature reviewed reveals that the major
challenges in the development of the profession are lack of finances, poor collection
management, deficiency of ICT skills, meager excellence of library education, nonimplementation of library standards, impotency of library associations, lack of library
cooperation, ineffective planning, absence of library marketing in competitive
environments, little production of professional literature, low interest of LIS
professionals/non-professionalism, inadequacy of continuing education facilities, scarcity
of leadership, etc.
However, this paper also explores different opportunities available to meet these
challenges. These opportunities comprise alternative funding venues, HEC and its various
projects/programs, resource sharing, IT infrastructure & government policies, research
degree programs, CPD activities, different active library groups, and LIS marketing.
Challenges
What is challenge?
Oxford English dictionary1 defines the challenge as “a new or difficult task that
tests somebody’s ability and skill”. Below are some considerable challenges of general
nature faced by library profession in Pakistan.
Finance
Finance is the major issue the Pakistani libraries are facing. The fund allocation to
libraries except some exceptions is very low especially the college, school and public
libraries. There are no standards or criteria for this allocation. There is a high level of
dissatisfaction of libraries with their present state of funding2.
Collection Development
The Pakistani libraries face a lot of problems regarding collection development.
The acquisition is collection-centered instead of user-centered. The patron input is hardly
invited in the collection building process. The decision regarding purchase of electronic
or print material seems to be not well thought. Subscription to online resources provides
only access rather than ownership3. The library remains empty handed after the
subscription ends. Further, our libraries have not experimented in developing a mix of
traditional and electronic modes4. Most of the print resources in libraries are outdated.
While current journals are received often free as gift or in exchange. The standard ratio
of books per student is far less than it should be, and students could hardly afford to
purchase books of their own. The big rate of currency exchange is also a dilemma
regarding purchase of foreign books and journals.
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
The application of ICTs has become inevitable in libraries. Our library scenario
manifests gloomy picture in this regard. The major problem is the lack of computer
literacy among librarians, especially the senior ones. Majority of the libraries are not
automated. Some libraries that claim to be fully automated only have computerized
catalog. Pakistani libraries have not yet succeeded in engineering web-based integrated
multilingual software. The foreign made softwares are not financially affordable because
of high one-time price and annual support service fees, e.g. Virtua. The local library
packages lacking standardization create problems of retrospective data conversion and
switching over to another package. The wide area networked libraries which are
mandatory for cooperative activities and outreach services do not exist. Library
automation in Pakistan is in its infancy stage5. The digitization of print resources is so
laborious, time taking, expensive and erroneous. The library professionals are not often
involved in key decision making and planning especially relating to technological issues.
Library Education
Formal Education (Postgraduate level)
Undeniably library education in Pakistan has made a marvelous progress. It has
reached from certificate to PhD level. The two founding library schools at Punjab and
Karachi universities have provided both the foundation and tradition to library education in
Pakistan as more than 10 universities now have LIS programs. But, according to Dr. Anis
Khurshid6 “the establishment of recently founded library schools has been without meeting
the minimum standards”. There is also lack of uniformity in the schemes of study, courses,
nomenclature of departments, programs/degrees, etc. The private universities do not have
all required resources and reasonable number of regular academic faculty. Therefore, the
quality of education of private universities cannot be compared with public sector
universities in any way.
While collecting data, it has been observed that the official websites of some
universities/library schools do not provide vital basic information. These websites are not
up-to-date as well. “The LIS curriculum in South Asia is 40 years old7. Most of the
faculty members do not have updated knowledge and awareness with global trends in LIS
education.
Continuing Professional Development
It has always been a challenge for the library professionals to keep themselves
abreast of the latest trends in the profession. They must update their knowledge to avoid
being obsolete. The continuing professional development (CDP) activities of LIS in
Pakistan are very few and limited to some selected big cities only. The major causes are
lack of interest on the part of professionals, inert status of professional associations, lack
of funds, and discouragement of employers.
Human Resources
Qualified and competent staff is more important than other resources. Nothing but
people bring a change and make a difference. A dedicated, committed and professionally
sound team is the only way for improved and value-added reader services. There is an
acute shortage of qualified and capable manpower in Pakistani libraries. The cream of the
profession left the country for big scenario. Most of the top level managerial positions are
either vacant or being run by non-professionals. Various studies8-9 reveal that majority of
library leaders do not possess innovative, creative, imaginative and visionary traits.
Furthermore, many of them do not have ICT, interpersonal, and communication skills as
well.
Assessment and Evaluation
User satisfaction Surveys
Libraries are investing large amount of budget on resources and services to
improve efficiency. There is high demand for fund raise on the part of libraries to yield
user satisfied services. User satisfaction helps justify resources and improve services. The
practices of conducting user satisfaction surveys in order to determine their level of
agreement with library services do not exist here in Pakistan at any level.
Library Standards
Library standards may be defined as the criteria by which library resources and
services can be measured and assessed. These standards are determined by professional
librarians in order to attain and maintain the objectives they have set for themselves. In
Pakistan, except few draft proposals, the government and professional organizations have
issued no formal standards. The HEC10, Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)11, Pakistan
Medical and Dental Council (PMDC)12 have a certain criteria for the recognition of
institutes and their degrees. This criterion also addresses a standard library, which is not
satisfactory in terms of staff, collection, space, finance and needs to be revised. The
stipulated requirement of library facilities set by PU13 and other universities for the
institutions applying for affiliation is not up to the mark as well.
Role of Library Associations
As a whole the situation of library associations is not much encouraging. No one
has a track record of holding regular elections, where applicable. The aims and objectives
set forth have never been achieved. These organizations have played their due role
effectively to some extent and worked for the development of library profession in the
country. But after 1997 almost all the library associations are not functioning efficiently.
It is the burning issue of the day whether PLA exists or not. The major constraints in this
regard are finance, low membership, and lack of volunteer & corporate culture. Various
studies14-17 present following picture of library associations:
Beside of PLA there are fourteen other professional library associations in
the country but their output of professional literature has been meager.
These library associations organized several conferences, passed many
resolutions, formed many committees but no concrete result could be
achieved. There are thousands of librarians but majority are non-members
or do not play their active role. Newsletters and journals were brought out
several times but stopped after few issues. Election never held after two
years. In last 43 years PLA and SPIL drafted and presented a number of
legislations in their conferences but far behind from implementation.
Library Cooperation
No library can purchase all published material and fulfill solely all demands of its
users. Hence libraries throughout the world initiate different cooperative programs and
share resources with each other. These cooperative programs among Pakistani libraries
do not formally exist. Therefore no significant resource sharing activities subsist in
Pakistani libraries.
Planning
Planning is actually an amalgam of miniplans interrelated at several levels. This
blend is considered short range operational plans as well as long range strategic plans; it
merges departmental plans with overall organizational missions18. There is lack of proper
planning with regard to Pakistani libraries. Several five-year and other plans address the
various issues of Pakistani librarianship but no one could be implemented. During the last
decades a number of developmental plans/schemes were formulated but unfortunately,
none could be implemented even partially19”.
Marketing of Library and Information Services
Marketing of information organizations is a process in which customers’ needs
for information and knowledge are met through matching them against appropriate
information resources and services20. Marketing is a management process which
determines, anticipates and supplies users’ requirements efficiently and profitably. Since
libraries are non-monopolistic and nonprofit organizations, hence their profit is user
satisfaction rather happiness. Pakistani libraries face the challenge of marketing due to
competitive environment in terms of internet mania & decreased number of clients,
increased pressure to secure funding, etc. At present marketing of LIS in Pakistan is in its
babyhood stage and course of LIS marketing is being taught only at three universities21.
Research and Development
Presently only two professional journals namely Pakistan Journal of Library &
Information Science (PJLIS) and Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal
(PLISJ) are being actively published by Department of Library and Information Science,
University of Punjab (DLIS, PU) and Library Promotion Bureau, Karachi respectively.
The PLISJ is the only HEC-recognized journal in LIS in Pakistan22. The expertise
available for research guidance is too little. Most of the practitioners have insufficient
research knowledge. Majority of library schools do not offer research degree.
Opportunities
What is opportunity?
“A time when a particular situation makes it possible to do or achieve”23
Following opportunities are available to meet the aforesaid challenges:
Finance
The public sector universities and degree awarding institutes may request HEC
for funds and grants-in-aid through PC-1 and also under the up-gradation of libraries and
laboratories project24. Punjab Library Foundation Lahore, an organ of Punjab
government, also disburses monetary and material grants to all types of provincial
libraries, especially the public. Additionally there are also other venues for fiscal and
grant-in-kind assistance like Asia Foundation Islamabad, library friends forums,
UNESCO, World Bank, WHO, Bill & Melinda Gates25 Foundation, and individual
donors. The lapsed security of students in colleges may be requested to be earmarked for
the library.
Collection
HEC digital resources have provided the Pakistani libraries with great opportunity
to encounter collection challenge26. These libraries may now spend their budget on other
heads. The collection may also be enriched by officiating local and regional resource
sharing programs. Book donations from individuals, national and international agencies,
depository library programs of World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and UNO also
exist. HEC textbook writing scheme27, Lincoln corner, Iranian Cultural Centre, and
digitization of precious resources are also among attractive options. The donations
received by LUMS Library, GCU & PU Library, etc., show a good sign of generosity on
the part of donors.
ICTs
Different computer literacy programs launched by Federal Ministry of Science
and Technology and Punjab government through Punjab IT Board & TEVTA, are
providing opportunity to become computer literate. There is also huge number of other
public & private computer training centers across the country giving the same training.
The following four IT related MLIS courses in the HEC 2002 curricula are:
Introduction to Library and Information Science; Information Technology and Libraries;
Resource Sharing and Networking; Management Information System28
Self learning through correspondence courses and free e-tutorials are also
available. The Government of Pakistan, with sound infrastructure and IT policy, is also
supporting and encouraging computer literacy. Most of the universities have been
networked with high bandwidth through HEC PERN project giving way to resource
sharing and high speed internet connectivity29. Open source softwares for digital library
and library management like D-space30, Greenstone digital library31, Koha32, Zebra
server, MARC editor, and free web-based multilingual local packages like LIMS33 are on
hand for library automation and digital library.
Library Education
CPD
There are some useful continuing professional development (CPD) activities in
Pakistan. These activities include short courses, workshops, seminars, conferences, focus
group discussions, foreign library experts’ lectures, etc. Significant organizations
involved in conducting such activities are DLIS PU, International Islamic University,
Riphah University, American Consulate, Rural Development Academy Islamabad,
Quaid-i-Azam Library Lahore, HEC, Pakistan Library Automation Group, and University
of Karachi. HEC, IFLA, OCLC, SLA, UNESCO, and other different international bodies
provide funding for enhancement of professional knowledge.
Curriculum
National Curriculum Revision Committee of HEC provides a uniform platform to
library experts regarding the revision of curricula according to market demand after every
three to five years. The implementation of latest 2002 curricula in letter and spirit may
improve the quality of LIS education. The meeting of the aforesaid committee is due in
2007. The library experts should exploit this meeting fully to incorporate global changes
in the curriculum.
Research Degree Programs
The regular M.Phil leading to PhD program at DLIS PU and University of Sind
Jamshoro as per HEC new criteria is a step towards enhancing higher education and
future library leadership. The HEC is providing local and foreign scholarships for
M.Phil/PhD to fresh students and librarians34. Some of our professionals are already
availing this opportunity. The PU has given incentive to its university teachers/librarians
regarding PhD studies as reduction of workload to half, grant of study leave up to four
years, and stipend of Rs.4000 per month during study period35. The other universities
may follow the example set by PU.
Faculty
Different programs of HEC and other organizations for the faculty of universities
and degree awarding institutes are attainable for research and development. HEC
programs encompass local & foreign PhD scholarships, research grants, student teacher
exchange program, national faculty hiring program, foreign faculty hiring program, and
faculty development program36. Other HEC incentives for the betterment of faculty
members include upgradation of posts of university teachers and different research
awards, best teacher awards, new criteria for the appointment of vice-chancellors of
public sector universities, and tenure track system. Fulbright, Commonwealth, and
cultural exchange scholarships are in addition to above.
Human Resources
The M.Phil/PhD programs of different universities may be helpful in filling the
top managerial vacant positions. Appointment of librarian is one of the compulsory
requirements set by the HEC, PMDC, PEC, and PPC regarding recognition of
institutions. National internship program37 (paid) of federal government is also providing
opportunities regarding human resources. Service structure of library positions (up to
BPS-20) in NLP, GCU and IIU is trend setter.
Active Groups and Revival of Library Associations
There are some registered library associations in Pakistan. No one but the
professionals can activate and revive them. Solution of various long-awaited professional
issues lies in the revival of these associations. But mention may be made of active groups
as Library Promotion Bureau (LPB), PBWG, Paklag, Librarian welfare Group,
LIBCOOP, etc. These forums are good venues for sharing professional tacit knowledge.
Special credit goes to LPB for bringing out valued publications. Newly elected PLA body
can play its due role in connecting people, initiating library legislation, implementing
standards & service structure, formulating national information policy, arranging CPD
activities, etc.
Library Cooperation
Amongst the benefits of co-operation are: optimum use of resources, avoiding
duplication, cross-fertilization of expertise and experience, increase in efficiency &
effectiveness, and promotion of social interrelationship of the community.
Various resource sharing models are exemplary to follow. Web OPACS and PERN
Project is an opportunity for networking and resource sharing among university libraries.
Planning
Already developed plans/programs regarding libraries, Vision 203038, five year
plans, federal government education policies may be an impetus to improve librarianship,
if devotedly pursued/implemented. Keeping in view the present scenario, we may
develop realistic, feasible short term and long term plans.
Marketing
The information is considered as commodity in this century. We the professionals
may be the key players as we are concerned with society’s knowledge base. Different
marketing strategies give us occasions for customer focused services. We can provide
better services and enhance our image in society by using marketing mix. The product
(publications, etc.), services, people (professional), organization (library), place (site &
interior of library), social events & issues - all can be marketed. We need to work like
business directors and managers. We have to recognize marketing concepts and
techniques if we want our services to survive, offer quality and grow. We should prepare
market plan after PEST and SWOT analysis. Customer centered services like SDI, CAS,
document delivery, ILL would enhance our readership. User satisfaction surveys should
also be conducted regularly.
Research and Development
Both PLISJ and PJLIS are good avenues to publish research. PLISJ is the only
HEC-recognized journal39 being published regularly from Karachi by Library Promotion
Bureau since 1968. It is indexed and abstracted in international sources. Sponsorship of
HEC for textbook writing and journal publication is accessible40. We have at present five
regular PhD faculty members in different library schools for seeking research counsel.
Endnote, AtlasTi and SPSS software packages are available for researchers. The PU is
awarding Rs.25000 and Rs.50000 to its staff for each research paper published in national
HEC recognized and international journals respectively. The student may also get
Rs.10000 per article.
Conclusion
There are more challenges than opportunities. The existing opportunities are not
being fully employed due to unawareness or lethargy. Majority librarians are not
members of any professional body or do not play their active role. Newsletters and
journals were brought out several times but stopped after few issues. Elections of
professional bodies were never held in time. PLA and other library associations need to
learn from the experiences of other associations of the world like ALA and CILIP. There
is a dire need of sincere efforts, absolute devotion and firm determination from the
professionals to serve the cause of librarianship and promote library associations. The
motivation of volunteer culture in the profession is utmost mandatory. Feedback and
suggestions may be emailed at <pervaiz@asia.com> and <s_reman25@yahoo.com>.
References:
1. Oxford English Dictionary (5th ed.) (1999). New York: Oxford University Press.
2. Mahmood, K., Hameed, A., & Haider, S. J. (2005). Library funding in Pakistan:
A survey. Libri, 55(2/3), 131-139.
3. Ameen, K. (2005). Jadid library: Rujhanat,challenge ur roshan amkanat ka jiaza
[Urdu]. Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal, 36(1), 1-6.
4. Haider, S. J. (2004). Perspectives on...coping with change: Issues facing university
libraries in Pakistan. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 30(3), 229-236.
5. Mahmood, K. (1998). The technology challenge and continuing education for
Pakistani librarians. Information Development, 14 (2): 84-90.
6. Khurshid, A. (1992). Library education in Pakistan: Concerns, issues and
practices. In Sajjad ur Rehman, Abdus Sattar Chaudhry & Afzal Haq Qarshi (Eds.).
Library education in Pakistan: Past, present and future (pp.11-28). Lahore:
PULSAA.
7. Anwar, M. A. (2001). Continuing professional development (CPD). A commitment
that define the profession. Pak-LIS News, 1(1). Retrieved 12, 2006 from
http://paklag.org/Pak-LIS News.htm
8. Ameen, K. (2006). Challenges of preparing LIS professionals for leadership roles in
Pakistan: An analysis of the status. Paper presented at the ALIEP-2006 Asia-Pacific
conference on Library and Information Education and Practice: Preparing Information
Professionals for Leadership in the New Age, April 16 2006, Nanyang Technological
University, Singapore.
9. Haider, S. J. (2004). pp. 229-236.
10. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (2007). Guidelines on the establishment of a
new university or an institution of higher education. Retrieved March 11, 2007 from
http://www.hec.gov.pk/new/download/ Universit_Accreditation/
Establishment/HEC2_Criteria_of_university_institutions.pdf.
11. Pakistan Engineering Council. PEC library requirement.Retrieved March 13, 2007
from http://www.pec.org.pk/accred_guidelines.htm.
12. Pakistan Medical and Dental Council. Criteria for establishment/recognition of
medical & dental colleges. Retrieved March 15, 2007, from
http://www.pmdc.org.pk/ criteria.htm.
13. University of the Punjab. (2002). Calendar: University of the Punjab. Vol.1, pp.476477
14. Sabzwari, G.A. (1988). Pakistan Library Association (Editorial). Pakistan
Library Bulletin, 19:4
15. Khan, S. A. (1988). Pakistan Library Association and its performances. PLA
Journal, 3, 26-39.
16. Siddique, M. (1990). Library literature produced by associations and library
schools in Pakistan. In Sajjad ur Rehman, (Ed.). A treatise on library and
information science in Pakistan (pp.125-26). Lahore: PULSAA.
17. Anwar, M.A. (1992).State of the library profession in Pakistan: From celebration
to reality. In Sajjad ur Rehma et al. (Eds.). Library education in Pakistan: Past,
present and future (pp. vii-xx). Lahore: PULSAA.
18. Weingand, D. E. (1999). Marketing/planning library and information services.
Littleton,Colorado, Libraries Unlimited. pp.12-13
19. Haider, S. J. (1995). Library planning in third world. Pakistan Library Bulletin,
26(2), 1-17.
20. Rowley, J. E. (2006). Information Marketing (2nd ed.). Burlington: Ashgate
Publishing. p.3
21. Ameen, K. (2006).
22. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission. (2007). National Curriculum Revision
Committee (NCRC). Retrieved March 8, 2007 from http://www.hec.gov.pk.
23. Oxford English Dictionary (1999).
24. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (2007). Development Projects. Retrieved
March 18, 2007 from http://www.hec.gov.pk/new/FPD/Development_Grants.htm.
25. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (1999-2007). Access to learning award. Retrieved
April 18, 2007 from http://www.gatesfoundation.org/GlobalDevelopment/
GlobalLibraries/AccessLearningAward/default.htm.
26. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (2007). HEC - National Digital Library.
Retrieved March 02, 2007 from http://www.digitallibrary.edu.pk.
27. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (2002a). Monograph & Textbook
Writing. Retrieved March 22, 2007 from http://www.hec.gov.pk/new/Academic
Affairs/Monograph_Text_Book_Writing/introduction.htm.
28. Pakistan. University Grants Commission. (2002). Revised curriculum for
B.A./BLIS/MLIS. Retrieved January 8, 2007 from http://www.hec.gov.pk/new/
AcademicAffairs/ Curriculam_Revision/download/Curriculms_pdf/
BA_BLIS_MLIS.pdf .
29. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (2007). PERN Project. Retrieved March 8,
2007 from http://www.hec.gov.pk.
30. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (2002-2007). dspace. Retrieved May 5, 2007.
from http://sourceforge.net/projects/dspace/.
31. University of Waikato. New Zealand Digital Library Project (2007). Greenstone
Digital Library software. Retrieved April 15, 2007, from http://www.greenstone.
org/cgi-bin/library.
32. Katipo Communications (1999-2005) .Koha. Retrieved April 25, 2007 from
http://www.koha.org.
33. Pakistan Library Automation Group. (2005). Library Information and Management
System (LIMS). Retrieved April 12, 2006, from http://paklag.org/lims.html.
34. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (2007).Scholarships. Retrieved March12,
2006, from http://www.hec.gov.pk/new/HRD/scholarships.htm.
35. University of the Punjab (2006). Notification: Revised regulations relating to
admission, registration and examination for M.Phil leading to PhD degree. (No.
2711/Acad, dated: 8/11/2006, pp.4, 20).
36. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (2007). Faculty Hiring Programs.
Retrieved March14, 2006, from http://www.hec.gov.pk/new/HRD/faculty_
hiring_programs.htm.
37. Pakistan Ministry of Labour and Manpower (2007). National Internship Programme.
Retrieved May 5, 2007, from http://www.nip.gov.pk/.
38. Pakistan. Ministry of Planning and Development (2007).Vision 2030. Retrieved
March24, 2006 from http://www.pakistan.gov.pk/ministries/
planninganddevelopment-ministry/vision2030.htm.
39. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission. (2007). HEC Recognized Journals
Retrieved on May 20, 2007 from http://www.hec.gov.pk/new/AcademicAffairs/
JCR/pak_journals.htm.
40. Pakistan. Higher Education Commission (2002a).