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Impact of Computer Training on Professional Library Activities in Pakistan
Abstract
Report on a survey of alumni of the Pakistan Library Association’s Computer Training Center in Lahore to determine the impact of the Certificate in Library Automation (CLA) on librarianship in Pakistan. The survey provided information on: the profile of the respondents; their participation in computer training before and after taking the CLA; the impact of their training on their success in job seeking; their access to and use of computers; their participation in library automation projects and other auto-mation related activities; and suggestions regarding further courses and the improvement of the Training Centre. The results showed that the courses were attended mainly by comparatively young professional librarians, most of whom were working in Lahore. Their computer training contributed a lot to their success in getting new jobs. Most of them had access to computer facilities in their offices and use them daily, and have participated significantly in automation activities in their libraries. Many also applied their computing knowledge in writing books, articles, delivering lectures and providing consultancy services. Many suggestions were made for improving the courses.
... tries, Anwar and Al Ansari (2002) examined existing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities and expectations of academic library employers aboutthe skills to be learned in their employees. The survey gave higher marks to writing and research skills related to assessment and evaluation, researching information needs, and report writing.Sharif and Mahmood (2001) looked into the effect of certificates on participants in library automation. The findings revealed that computer expertise aided them in obtaining better work, enhancing their automation-related practices, and assisting them in designing computer-based services for patrons in their libraries.Maesaroh and Genoni (2009) looked at Indones ...
Purpose of study: The core aim of the study is to identify the level of professional activities and training needs of library practitioners serving in Government colleges of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Research Method and Procedure: This study is quantitative, and the survey method is applied to achieve the desired objectives. The public sector college librarians of seven districts of the southern region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were the study population. Data Collection and analysis: A structured questionnaire was distributed among fifty-nine (59) college librarians. Out of total, fifty-five (55) librarians return the filled questionnaire with a response rate of 93%. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 21 is used to analyze the collected data. Major Findings and Recommendations: it was reflected that sixty- four percent of the respondents had not attended any training program in the last five years. The main reason for not attending the training program is the lack of management support with library professionals. Only thirty-six percent of the college librarians had attended conferences, workshops, seminars, and webinars organized by academic libraries, training institutes and universities
... (Chaudhary, 2001) emphasized at importance of trainings for librarians working in the university libraries of Pakistan and discussed obstacles, incentives and significance. (Sharif and Mahmood, 2001) reported a survey on Pakistan Library Association's Computer Training Center in Lahore to and stated the impact of certificate course in Library Automation (CLA) on librarianship in Pakistan. Findings revealed that computer training contributed a lot to the success for participants in getting new jobs. ...
Purpose – The aim of this study is to examine the perception of Library & Information Science (LIS) community about professional training, training agencies and training methodologies. The study provides an analysis of development/enhancement of library practices and its relation with competencies acquired through professional trainings. It also focuses to describe the planning, design, implementation and evaluation of capacity building measures of professional library training as well as to identify loopholes of such trainings in the Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach – The research design for this study is survey. Data collected through online questionnaire using www.kwiksurvey.com from Pakistani working librarians. Some information was also collected through telephonic interviews from the stakeholders of different organizations/associations actively involved in design, conduct and delivery of in-service professional trainings for librarians in Pakistan.
Findings – The findings of this research study is manifold. This study revealed different training needs of professional librarians; change in the areas of learning domains; impact of skills enhancements over knowledge acquisition in Library & Information Science Professionals (LIPs); The study also revealed other findings such as: lack of LIS training culture in Pakistan; lack of teaching/training skills in librarians; lower impact of training on working environment; lack of opportunities of capacity building measures both for LIS training agencies and trainers in Pakistan; lack of essential components in Activity-based training modules; also a lack of feedback and follow up of the training agency/sponsors; non-availability of financial assistance to the prospective trainees to attend the training; and lack of personal interest in some cases. Suggestions include: methodological change in the contents and structure of training; new design for method of delivery of LIS training; maintenance of close links between training agencies; introduction of continuing education or library trainings segments at the master level studies of LIS; and mentoring plans for Library Trainers.
Originality/value – This paper examine the issues of professional trainers as well as trainees in the field of LIS in Pakistan. The findings are useful for planners of professional LIS training, professional librarians and library science students.
... technology and that, there is positive attitude towards information technology among library professionals who have higher working experience with computer " Ilyas (1997) mentioned that misconceptions regarding IT, fear of unemployment, and hesitation to accept new technology were the main obstacles to adopt IT among LIS professionals in Pakistan. Sharif & Mahmood (2001) surveyed alumni (n=82) of Pakistan Library Association's Computer Training Center to determine the impact of the Certificate in Library Automation (CLA). The findings showed that most of the respondents were young professionals working in Lahore. Most of them had computer facility in their libraries and were involved in automation activ ...
The core objective of this paper is to study the impact of IT on human resources serving in the university libraries of Pakistan. To achieve this objective a questionnaire survey of 82 university libraries from public and private sector was conducted. Respondents were asked to express their opinion about 10 statements to measure their perceptions about impact of information technology on human resources. A five point Likert Scale was used to rate the statements. Descriptive (Min., Max., Mean, Median, Mode, SD) and inferential (t-test) statistics was used to analyze the data.
Calculated values of ‘t’ and its P-values indicates that there is no significant difference between the opinions of both public and private sector’s respondents regarding the impacts of IT on human resources except the statement ‘Staff has more awareness about profession’.
The findings of this study are helpful in formulating human resource development policies and strategies not only in Pakistani university libraries but also in other developing and under developing countries of the world.
... In a study of 244 librarians of academic and research institutions conducted by Ramzan (2002), 97 percent recommended that " Attainment of theoretical and practical IT knowledge should be a component of library education in Pakistan. " Similarly, in another study conducted by Sharif and Mahmood (2001), two-thirds of the librarians who responded were of the view that their ICT training helped them in fi nding better jobs. The LIS professionals recommended training programs in advanced concepts of library automation. ...
This paper is a case study of the Pakistan Library Automation Group, formed in October 2000 by volunteers in library and information science and computer science in Pakistan. The group's mission was to promote the use of ICT in Pakistani libraries with virtually no financial support. The achievements of the group during 6 years include: PakLAG Website; Automation of libraries with Library Information Management System (LIMS); Multilingual Web OPAC; Searching interface of National Digital Library; Online directory of LIS professionals; Publications program; Pak-LIS News; E-mail discussion group; Online posting of job advertisements; Virtual library; Training in ICTs for library professionals; and free consultancy service in library automation. The group's future plans are also presented. The study concludes that, if some committed professionals present themselves for voluntary endeavors and plan to develop their nation without any material resources, they can play a significant role in the promotion of ICT in the libraries of a developing country.
... Research explains several benefits for individuals and organizations. For example learners used their computing skills in writing books, articles, delivering lectures, and providing consultancy services (Sharif and Mahmood, 2001). ...
The research paper investigated the Pakistani Workplace Learning and Performance
(WLP) practitioners’ perceptions of the evolving importance of delivering training in the
workplace. By focusing on themes and the contents of designing, delivering and
improving training, this research illuminated gaps in current knowledge and need for
future improvements with respect to occupational expertise. Looking at the context of
the growing formal workforce in Pakistan offers insights into the demographic and
technological shifts occurring in the economies of the developing world. Forty WLP
practitioners volunteered to respond to a paper-pencil based survey using convenience
and snow-balling sampling approaches. This study employed inferential statistics to
identify the differences in perceptions of practitioners regarding the current and future
importance of selected delivering training competencies. The results of this study
suggested that degree of engagement in knowledge and actions areas in delivering
training would be sufficient for predicting the development of a skillful workforce. Very
little empirical research had been done to connect delivering training in knowledge and
actions areas. Despite possible sampling bias, this research bridged the information gap
by examining the relationship between perceptions of Pakistani practitioners regarding
the current and future importance of delivering training competency.
Purpose
Continuous professional development is an essential in-service and on-going learning process that provides an opportunity to young and mid-career professionals to update and align their skills in connection with the contemporary needs of library users. This study aims to identify and synthesize the literature on continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities for Pakistani librarians and information professionals.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is based on descriptive literature review published by Pakistani researchers with specific reference to Pakistani librarians and information professionals.
Findings
The findings revealed that albeit many initiatives have been taken by library and information science (LIS) schools and professional associations for developing the capabilities of librarians and information professionals, however, these initiatives remained spasmodic and limited to developing surface-level skills. Some emerging areas need to be addressed including information/digital literacy, research data management, data analysis and visualization and the skills to establish institutional repositories.
Research limitations/implications
The study was limited to CPD literature contributed by Pakistani researchers and the efforts taken by LIS schools and professional associations.
Originality/value
There is an immediate need to initiate a cohesive approach involving key stakeholders and to establish a platform purely working for CPD of librarians and information professionals focusing on current and future needs. The finding will be helpful for drawing foundation guidelines by library associations, LIS schools and librarian’s parent’s organizations regarding CPD opportunities.
Purpose
This paper aims to elaborate the library data migration process from LAMP (Library Automation Management Program) to the open source software Koha's (2.2.8 Windows based) Pakistani flavour PakLAG‐Koha in six legislative assembly libraries of Pakistan.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper explains different steps of the data migration from one ILM (integrated library management system) to a new ILM in six libraries over the course of three months. Qualitative research methods, i.e. direct observation and interviews, were adopted for finding the problems and solutions of the delayed project. Training and support was offered by a local volunteer group (PakLAG). One of the authors of the paper presented first‐hand experience of being a consultant of this project. The study and results are the author's own reflections and first‐hand experiences, and hence results are based on direct observations.
Findings
The paper identifies several critical issues and their solutions concerning data migration within a local scenario as well as how local consultants and support groups are coping with these issues. It was noticed that the data migration can be done quickly if any support group is properly involved with the library staff.
Originality/value
This paper provides first‐hand experience and success story of library data migration from DOS‐based ILM to open source software. Process, tools and findings discussed in this paper are valuable for the libraries planning to convert non‐MARC data to open source MARC‐based software Koha.
This paper presents bio-bibliometric analysis of the contributions of Dr. Khalid Mahmood in the field of Library and Information Science through his publications. The analysis includes geographical and year wise distribution of publications; collaboration for publication; publications by type; language and journal preferences for the publication; and coverage of different subject areas. Results of the study indicate that Dr. Khalid Mahmood is a prolific writer in the field of library and information science. He contributed 115 items including 99 articles, six books, eight conference papers and two papers in newsletters till December 31, 2011. Research work by Dr. Khalid Mahmood is well accepted in developed countries like United Kingdom and United States of America. He used English language to disseminate majority of his research work. He believes in teamwork and about two third of his research work was result of collaboration.
Young people from marginalized communities are applying newly acquired technical know-how to leapfrog the socioeconomic levels of their families and communities. This article explores the impact of basic computer education on the lives of young men and women from a Muslim minority community of India. Twenty-seven young women and 25 young men (median age = 23 years) were interviewed 2 months after they completed a 1-year diploma course, and their reports were content analyzed. It was found that the basic skills program results in multiplier, psychological, social, educational, and economic benefits and also increases computer ownership and usage. Computer education of an individual contributes to a social climate conducive for family, friends, and neighbors to become computer literate and provides a valuable focus on computer literacy programs. Computer education can be a key gender equalizer, as through it women see new possibilities open for them. The psychological and economic impact is greater for young women; young men, on the other hand, register more social and educational benefits. Through application of computer knowledge, women experience a boost in self-confidence and see a possibility of an independent income. On the other hand, young men experience higher positive cues from family and friends. The pursuit of college along with computer learning and their stated aspiration to go in for high-end computer courses gives men a distinct advantage in a knowledge-based society.
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