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The Technology Challenge and Continuing Education for Pakistani Librarians

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Edited version of a paper presented at the 16th Pakistan Library Association Conference, 25–26 November 1997, Islamabad, Pakistan. Pakistani librarians are facing the challenge of new information technology which is rapidly penetrating into their libraries. To cope with this challenge satisfactorily, continuing education of librarians is the only way. Reports the findings of a survey of continuing education activities in the field of library automation held in Pakistan during the years 1988–1996. These were mainly arranged and sponsored by professional library associations and foreign agencies, and were held in thirteen cities covering all provinces and federal areas. Discusses problems faced in providing continuing education opportunities in Pakistan and makes recommendations to improve the quality and scope of events.
... Different suggestions have been made for improving the training courses. (Mahmood, 1998) investigated the progress of continuing education events taken up for LIS in Pakistan and suggested that library schools, foreign agencies, library associations and government should come forward and encourage the CE activities for librarians in the country. (Mahmood, 1997) advocates that information technology is a key priority of training activities for librarians in Pakistan. ...
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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.
... Pham and Tanner (2014: 19) have asserted that there is a ''broad agreement across the disciplines on features of interdependence, mutuality and commitment to working together to achieve common goals, shared effort, shared responsibility and accountability, shared resources and outcomes, voluntary participation and values such as fairness and caring for others'' for developing viable collaboration among different organizations. Mahmood (1998) conducted a study of training events conducted in Pakistan and suggested that universities, library associations and departments of library sciences should develop partnerships and assume responsibility for the training of library professionals in Pakistan. ...
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The current study seeks to explore the nature of collaboration among different organizations for conducting training workshops to enhance the skills of library and information science (LIS) professionals in Pakistan. This study covered training activities conducted from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2013. Content analysis was used for this study. The data for the study was collected through an overview and perusal of messages shared on online Yahoo! groups of LIS professionals in Pakistan including PakLAG and LIBCOOP. The study found that universities, research and development institutes or academies, library associations and some business organizations have participated in the promotion of the skills of librarians in Pakistan. International cooperation seems lacking, as only five initiatives have attracted the cooperation of only three international organizations. The University of Punjab, Pakistan Librarians Welfare Association and the Institute of Research Promotion have played the leading role in their respective categories in enhancing the skills of LIS professionals in Pakistan.
... ed a platform for further activities (Mahmood, 1996). Many of the librarians of Pakistan completed their formal education before ICT was included in the curriculum of library schools. They have not had much opportunity to learn about ICT in a formal educational setting. The only way to orientate existing librarians was by continuing education (CE). Mahmood (1998) counted 105 courses and workshops held in various cities between 1988 and 1996 on using ICT in libraries. It was also found that professional associations and foreign agencies were the major ICT training for LIS professionals in Pakistan organisers of these activities. Subjects covered in these courses range from computer fundamentals t ...
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Purpose – This study is based on an assessment survey of continuing education (CE) needs for ICT of library and information science (LIS) professionals. The particular purpose of this study was to seek answers to the following questions: What are the ICT‐focused educational backgrounds, as well as personal and professional characteristics, of LIS practitioners in Pakistan? What are the preferences of LIS professionals for ICT training including methods of CE, providers, incentives, suitable days/time, methods of announcement, payment, and language? What skills or techniques do LIS professionals need to learn? Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire survey was conducted on a sample of 200 professionals working in all types of libraries and information organisations in various cities of Pakistan. Findings – LIS professionals showed their preferences in the areas requested and a series of recommendations are provided based on the findings from the survey. Originality/value – The results of this study are of use to the CE providers (i.e. library schools and professional associations etc.) and will help prepare LIS professionals for leadership in the new age, not only in Pakistan but also in other developing countries.
... 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 stage 5 . The digitization of print resources is so laborious, time taking, expensive and erroneous. ...
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