CHALLENGES FOR LIBRARINSHIP IN PAKISTAN

2. CHALLENGES FOR LIBRARINSHIP
IN PAKISTAN
Presented By;
RASHIDAGHULAM NABI

3. Contents
General Introduction/Purpose of this Discussion
1. Meaning of Challenge
2. Origin of Challenge
3. Definitions of Challenge
4. Lack of Uniformity
5. Lack of Fund
6. High Illiteracy
7. Culture Limitations

4. Contents
8. Carefulness of Employees
9. Professional Jealousy
10. Red-Tapism
11. Readers
12. Collection Development
13. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs)
14. Library Education
15. Continuing Professional Development

5. Contents
16. Human Resources
17. Assessment and Evaluation
18. Library Standards
19. Role of Library Associations
20. Library Cooperation
21. Planning
22. Marketing of Library and Information Services
23. Lack of Research and Development / 24. Absence of Check and Balance

6. 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, non-implementation 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.

7. Purpose of the Discussion
Purpose of the discussion some of the challenges and concerns for library and information science (LIS) education
in Pakistan. In order to provide context for these challenges, the discussion begins with a brief overview of higher
education in Pakistan in general and then discusses the beginning of LIS education. It briefly summarizes LIS
education in South Asia to provide additional context. The discussion concerning issues, including curriculum,
accreditation, program delivery through distance education, and research in LIS. The discussion goes on to
highlight some of the challenges that LIS educators face in Pakistan. It concludes with suggestions about how
some of these challenges might be addressed including implementation of the Recommendations of National
Knowledge Commission. The need for a Model Curriculum in order for LIS to fill the gap between needs of the
users and skills of library professionals is also discussed. Discussion is important to learning in all disciplines
because it helps student’s process information rather than simply receive it. Leading a discussion requires skills
different from lecturing. The goal of a discussion is to get students to practice thinking about the course material.
Your role becomes that of facilitator. You design and facilitate the discussion rather than convey information. If
you want to hold a discussion, don’t do all the talking yourself; don’t lecture to the group or talk to one student at
a time.

8. 1. Meaning of Challenge
A challenge is something new and difficult which requires great effort and determination. According to Cambridge English
Dictionary: difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination.
2. Origin of Challenge
• Challenge, as a verb, is derived from a Latin word meaning "to accuse falsely," and it is still used much as it was in the
13th century, in the sense of questioning whether something is true or right.
• early 14c., chalenge, "something one can be accused of, a fault, blemish;" mid-4c., "false accusation, malicious charge;
accusation of wrong-doing," also "act of laying claim" (to something), from Anglo-French chalenge, Old French
chalonge "calumny, slander; demand, opposition," in legal use, "accusation, claim, dispute," from Anglo-French
chalengier, Old French chalongier "to accuse, to dispute" (see challenge (v.)). The accusatory connotations faded 17c.
The meanings "an objection" in law, etc.; "a calling to fight" are from mid-15c. The sense of "difficult task" is by 1954.
• c. 1200, "to rebuke," from Old French chalongier "complain, protest; haggle, quibble," from Vulgar Latin *calumniare
"to accuse falsely," from Latin calumniari "to accuse falsely, misrepresent, slander," from calumnia "trickery" (see
calumny). From late 13c. as "to object to, take exception to;" c. 1300 as "to accuse," especially "to accuse falsely," also
"to call to account;" late 14c. as "to call to fight." Also used in Middle English with a sense of "claim, take to oneself."
Related: Challenged; challenging

9. 3. Definitions of Challenge
• Oxford English dictionary 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
• A call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength,
etc.
• Something that by its nature or character serves as a call to battle,
contest, special effort, etc.

10. 4. Lack of Uniformity/ Lack of ethics Training
Despite researcher writing about indicators of ethics effectiveness,
actually, there are many challenges in the implementation of ethics in the
organization. It involves a lack of enforcement, organizational culture, poor
leadership, whistleblowing and lack of ethics training
5. Lack of Fund/ Finance
Lack of Fund/ 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 funding.

11. 6. High Illiteracy
Illiteracy is one of our world’s biggest problems today, along with peace, hunger and disease.” A large
part of our world is functionally illiterate ... about a billion people are illiterate and another billion barely so.
This is a major loss to the world, causing disenfranchisement, disaffection, disillusionment, dysfunction,
and costing us an estimated $1 trillion in lost productivity
We are trapped in a vicious cycle

12. 7. Culture Limitations
Cultural differences cause behavioral and personality differences like body
language, gestures, mindsets, communication, manners, and norms, which may lead to
miscommunication. Eye contact, for example, is very important in some cultures, but rude
and disrespectful in others6 . These are some of the most common cultural differences that
can cause issues in the workplace.
I. Religion. ...
II. Ethnicity. ...
III. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. ...
IV. Education. ...
V. Generation. ...
VI. Cultural Behavior. ...
VII. Educational Clash. ...
VIII. Ensure Effective Communication

13. 8. Carefulness of Employees
Carefulness of Employees is a major issues of library fields. We First, we have a responsibility to
ourselves not to get injured. Second, we have a responsibility to our families; when we're injured, we can't
provide for them. Third, there's the responsibility we have to our co- workers. Our actions must not endanger
our fellow employees. But we have not follow the instruction in our fields.
9. Professional jealousy
Professional jealousy is the constant envy of goal-oriented people or others’ prosperity. It’s a
universal experience and within the bounds of human nature. It’s a feeling that’s rarely spoken about because
we worry that sharing our envious thoughts will make us seem petty or selfish.
10. Red-Tapism
The emergence of red tape and its integration into Pakistan's public sector has directly and
indirectly disturbed the working systems of organizations in numerous provinces, resulting in low productivity
and profitability. Bashir's (2011) analysis showed that the high integration of red-tapism into these
organizations is the main reason for the government sector's weakness. Red-tapism has not only impacted
organizations but also weakened the country's economy. Punjab, one of the four provinces of Pakistan, suffers
from an excessiveness of rules and regulations. This stringency has gradually weakened the effectiveness of the
province's public sector organizations

14. 11.Reading Culture
One of my students asked me Sir, What is Reading Culture? I tried to explain, Reading Culture is
a habit of reading books and information material; it can be enhanced by providing suitable reading materials in schools,
colleges, universities and public libraries and with the use of campaigns promoting reading in masses. On every 23rdApril
of the year, world celebrates International Day for Book reading In Pakistan unfortunately majority of students and
general masses are not aware of this day because reading is generally avoided by students and common citizens.
A famous saying “A home without books is like a body without soul” can best define emphasis of the importance of
book reading and the role books can play in shaping up an individual’s life as well as the nation. Reading involves the
correct pronunciation of the words as well as understanding of its content. Therefore we can say both are complimentary, if
one is body the other is the soul and essence of it. In 70’s and 80’s era.
The city called Lahore is famous not only for auspicious foods but also for its old book shops and tea houses. Since
decades the weekly bazar of old books at Mall Road is the hallmark of this historic city.
People used to wait for Annual Literary Festivals every year in different cities of Pakistan. Young girls and boys in
large numbers used to take active part in these festivals. Not only had they used to work voluntarily with the organizers of
the festival but also took keen interest in books and the discussions on the literary subjects.
In 21st century reading books is recognized as intellectual and cultural activity, which keeps the brain alive and healthy.
Unfortunately the culture of reading books in Pakistan is almost nonexistent. The reasons of this sorry state of affairs are
numerous.

15. 12. 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 ownership. The library remains empty handed after the subscription ends.
Further, our libraries have not experimented in developing a mix of traditional and
electronic modes. 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.

16. 14.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
Khurshid “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 old. Most of the
faculty members do not have updated knowledge and awareness with global trends in LIS
education.

17. 14.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
Khurshid “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 old. Most of the
faculty members do not have updated knowledge and awareness with global trends in LIS
education.

18. 15.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.
16.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 studies 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.

19. 17.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.
18.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 HEC, Pakistan Engineering Council
(PEC), Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) 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 PU
and other universities for the institutions applying for affiliation is not up to the mark as well.

20. 19. 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 studies 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.

21. 20.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.
21.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 missions. 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 partially”.
22. 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 services. 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 universities.

22. 23.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 Pakistan. 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.
24. Absence of Check and Balance
The grave problems confronting the country today will persist and worsen for as
long as there are no checks and balances between the three branches of the government. The
principle that the executive, legislative and judiciary should be co-equal, separate and
independent from each other to check each other’s abuses is just theoretical and is not spelled
out in the fundamental charter. The preamble and declaration of principles in the present
Constitution do not contain a definite statement about this precept. The exact parameters of
the powers of the three departments and their relationships with each other are not expressly
demarcated