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Library Review
Library and information science education as ignition source for services in non-academic special
libraries
Waqar Ahmed Muhammad Shahid Soroya
Article information:
To cite this document:
Waqar Ahmed Muhammad Shahid Soroya , (2016),"Library and information science education as ignition source for services
in non-academic special libraries", Library Review, Vol. 65 Iss 4/5 pp. -
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/LR-08-2015-0083
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1
INTRODUCTION
"The question as to what is a special library has never been simple to answer. The literature
provides many definitions but none has been found to be adequate to define a special library".
(Singh, 2006, p. 521). "From the very beginning of the special library movement, the term
special library and its definition have been problematic. The first uses of the term special library
dating back to the late nineteenth century, referred to subject-specific collection" (Murray, 2013,
p. 276)."Special libraries are established to serve the needs of special clientele group viz. the
Scientists, the Technologist, the Planner, the Industrialist, the Economist, the Statistician, the
Lawyer, the Doctor, the Engineers, the Traders, the Entrepreneur, the Administrator etc. and its
collection is limited to 'special' subject (single/ cluster of specific subject/ interrelated) through
'special' services" (Bilawar, 2013, p. 134). The American Library Association (ALA) remarks
on its official website that Special libraries can serve particular populations, such as the blind and
physically handicapped, while others are dedicated to special collections, such as the Library of
Congress or a presidential library. "Mount and Massoud define special libraries as those
information organizations sponsored by private companies, government agencies, not-for-profit
organizations, or professional associations. Special Libraries cater to specific professional or
academic groups whose information needs are defined by a particular subject or activity.”
National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) . "Special library is generally
concerned with literature of a particular subject or a group of subjects and extends its facilities to
a particular type of clientele" (Akhtar, 1975) as cited by (Asghar & Shafique, 2012, p. 1). The
researcher logically concludes from these definitions that special libraries are rendered distinct
because of either their clients having special information needs, handicapped clients or unique
sources of the library for a special community.
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2
Lahore is the provincial capital of Punjab, Pakistan. There was no directory or list of
special libraries available prior to this study. Sample for the study was explored through
Snowball sampling technique and it ensured seventy-one Non-Academic Special Libraries'
(NASL) heads in Lahore. This study is designed to determine the number and percentage of
professionals and non-professionals heading special libraries in Lahore. Non-professionals are
people who do not have any professional or academic qualifications to manage a library while, in
this study, the term professionals has been used for subject specialists with proper qualification
in Library and information science. Kazmi (2005) mentioned, “Education is the most important
factor which plays a leading role in human development”. A workforce that is furnished with
educational and technical skills is better able to manage the daily affairs of the library.
Characteristics of the Special Libraries.
"Special libraries differ in significant ways from other types of libraries, from basic operation to
the very principles of information service" (Murray, 2013, p. 281). Special libraries can be
differentiated due to their characteristics. The first character of the special libraries is their
special clients. Their clients either have a disability or have special information needs. They use
the library for a specific purpose e.g. medical, law and justice, or parliamentarian purposes. The
second character of the special library is its collection. The collections of these libraries are of
distinct in nature of materials e.g. music collection, Braille collection etc. The third character of
the special library is its services. Special services like selected dissemination of information,
content service, and current awareness service are started in order to serve special clients.
"Depending upon the nature of the parent organization where the special library exists, their role
may vary. But all such libraries are actively involved in developing specialized collections to
provide different kinds of personalized services such as current awareness services, selective
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3
dissemination of information, indexing and abstracting, document delivery, online and CD ROM
search services, among other services" (Singh, 2006, p. 522). M. L. Kao (2001) divided library
services as following sub categories:
Author devised two broader dimensions of library services: technical services which library
performed before the books are put on the racks and public services which are for the better
provision of resources. Different dimensions of technical services including acquisition,
cataloguing and classification, gifts and exchanges, serials and Government publications were
explained in this book. While present study is extracted from the researcher's dissertation and has
explicated the public services. By public services researcher means the services which librarians
ignite and provided to information users in order to make information easily accessible. The
researcher resorted to the twenty services selected according to local library landscape and
presented in Ahmed, W. (2014) dissertation (researcher's own) and an unpublished research
paper titled
An Analysis of Electronic, Librarians’ End, Techno Knowledge and Multifactor Services in
the 21
st
Century Special Libraries of Lahore
,
The following diagram displays the division of services.
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4
Electronic services Librarians’ End
Services
Technological Knowledge
Services
Multiple Factor
Services
1
Photocopy
Service
1
Inter Library
Loan Service
1
Abstracting Service 1
Open Shelve
Service
2
OPAC’s Service 2
Book Bank
Service
2
Indexing Service 2
24/7 open
service
3
DVD / CD
ROM Searching
3
Reference
Service
3
Circulation Service 3
Discussion
Room Service
4
Audio Visuals
Service
4
Document
Reservation
4
Current Awareness
Service
5
Scanning Service 5
Orientation
Service
5
Translation Service
6
Lending Service 6
Selected Dissemination of
Information Service
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
“Education raises the productivity and efficiency of individuals and thus produces skilled
manpower that is capable of leading the economy towards the path of sustainable economic
development.” (Memon, 2007, p. 47).Warraich and Ameen (2010)in a survey of Library and
Information Science graduates concluded that students join library and information science for
better job prospects and because of their passion for books; however 47% of the graduates do not
get a job within the two months after completion of their sixteen years of education. This causes
a contradictory state of affairs where professionals are unable to obtain jobs after the two months
of graduation but nonprofessionals head the special libraries of Lahore. The researcher assumed
that there were non-academic special libraries headed by non-professionals. In any field, be it
medical or engineering, specified/qualified personnel (doctors and engineers) are the ones to
carry out certain tasks such as checking patients or operating rigs. The question that then arises is
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5
why is it assumed that a non-qualified individual would be able to perform information
profession duties? This study was designed to measure the percentage of professional and non-
professionals heading special libraries of Lahore to get an estimate about the professional vacant
seats in the special libraries of Lahore. Having a definite number will facilitate the assignation of
professionally qualified individuals by the authorities and library organizations. In addition, the
difference in the provision of services will be explored based on five educational levels.
The percentage of professionals and non-professionals was required to be explored for
the hiring of professionals and better provision of services. Globally, special libraries play a vital
role in organizational growth. Singh, ( 2006) states that history of special libraries in India is
related to the growth of research institutions. Furthermore, Council of scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR), Defense Research and Development Organization and other research
organizations established the special libraries for the growth of research and achievement of
organizational goals. There are 11,295 special libraries in India now, which are the lifelines of
their parent organizations (p. 520-521). Additionally, it was pertinent to explore to what extent
library professionals initiate services.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
• To explore the educational qualifications of library heads
• To explore the difference of services provision based on different levels of
educational qualifications
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
• What is the educational qualification of the library head?
• What is the difference of services provision between Library and Information
Science professionals and nonprofessionals?
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6
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Special libraries are performing in a dynamic and ever changing environment.
Internationally, many studies, e.g. Ajidahun (2006) in a survey of Federal science and technical
colleges in Nigeria to assess the library staff, collection and supervision of library management.
The results indicated that libraries were adequately staffed. Chuanfu (2013) surveyed the
Chinese academic libraries in Wuhan University to measure the perceptions and expectations of
foreign students so that services might be designed according to the needs of foreign students.
The results of the study indicate that students require different services according to their needs.
The paper provided a base for provision of need based services. Eze and Nkanu (2013) in an
interview based qualitative study in Nigeria investigated the learning from a workshop on
electronic library services. In Pakistan, special libraries present new horizons to offer services
provided by professionals who are appropriately qualified. Professionally trained individuals are
essential in today’s era of emerging technologies and information explosion. This study indicates
differences in services provision among five scales of educational qualifications. Two scales are
for non-professionals while the other two are for professionals. This study gives an insight into
how many NASLs are present in Lahore, which are headed by the non-professional staff. In this
context, the term "non-professionals" has been used for those head of libraries, who have not
attended any university in order to get a degree related to Library and Information Science.
DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The focus of this study has been placed on analyzing non-academic special libraries of
Lahore.
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The study has been specifically designed to measure the educational qualifications of
special library’s heads.
It is designed to gauge the difference of initiation and continuity of provision of services
based on the qualification of the library heads.
Snowballing sampling has shown that there are seventy-one NASL in charges in Lahore;
however there might be some other NASLs heads.
LITERATURE REVIEW
This study was constructed in a way in which for each service variable several studies
have been reviewed.
ELECTRONIC SERVICES
Akhtar, Muhammad, and Shaheen (2014) measured the services the electronic library of the
Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan in the form of a case study. The researchers
highlighted the practices of services measurement. For the purpose of data collection, researchers
used a progress report containing the day to day noted data by the staff and reported to higher
management on monthly basis about the different services provided in the library.
.Mahmood (2008) developed a checklist including ninety-one items from the previous studies
and explored the OPAC services of 16 National, Academic and Special libraries of Pakistan. For
the purpose of data collection, web-based catalogues were analyzed via the internet. Results of
the study indicated that OPAC's were at an initial stage in Pakistan and were providing basic
facilities to the users. The MARC format and Z39.50 protocol were found to not be popular.
Rogers (2008) in a report recounted a visit by officials from American libraries to the Stasi
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8
Records office in East Berlin, Germany to look at the German Scanning Robot. The cost of the
scanning robot was € 70,000. It used vacuum suction technique and pulled two pages upward
and put them back on left after scanning them. Team of ten members looked at preservation unit
as well where torn and old papers eaten by insects were filled by technicians using fiber.
Cameron (1998) conducted research at the Toronto Hospital Library. The researcher explored the
different aspects of DVD usage, e.g. databases on DVD’s: its advantages, and its storage
capacities..Adnan (2011) stated that photocopy services were a source of violation of copyright
law in Malaysian Universities where student used photocopy machines in the libraries and
campuses with the help of operators. van de Wijngaert and Huizer (2013) objectively
investigated individual, contextual and technological constructs of behaviors concerning the use
of audio visuals through an online survey.
LIBRARIANS’ END SERVICES
Malik and Mahmood (2014)explored the readiness of university librarians towards digital
reference services using quantitative methods and a questionnaire as data collection tool.
Researchers explored the awareness, planning, and willingnessof thirty-eight working librarians
ofHEC approved Universities. Results of the study indicated that a large number of librarians
were not yet ready for digital reference services. Almquist (2014), in a descriptive study, was of
the view that orientation service is part of marketing of library services. Rehman and Mahmood
(2010) investigated reference services, collections, staff, physical facilities and budgets in
seventeen university libraries of Lahore. The researchers studies the different dimensions of the
reference service. In a case study Bhatti and Chohan (2010) looked at the physical assets, staff
infrastructure, sources and services of libraries of Islamia University of Bahawalpur. Researchers
measured different services, such as orientation, book bank, internet provision, and library
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9
working hours services. The results indicated lack of provision of services. The purpose of the
study was to make suggestions to improve services including Selected Dissemination of
Information, Current Awareness Service, Reference Service, Indexing and Abstracting
services.Walton (2008)in quantitative survey, measured the interlibrary lending service of
research articles at Robert Gordon University. Researchers collected data through questionnaires.
The results of the study indicated that half of the University departmental libraries were using
inter library lending services. Bean (2003)wrote about Simon & Schuster publishers. The
publisher donated books to the First National Book Bank. The basic purpose of this was to
provide books to children who were unable to buy them due to poverty. Mouakket
(2014)concluded from a survey that although online reservation of booksincreased during the
past decade, the reservation service was insufficient.
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10
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE SERVICES
Wildridge (2004) described the current awareness service at King’s Fund Library London which
contained journals. Due to the less number of print copies of journals, photocopy service was
started in the library. Later, the library stopped providing that photocopying service because of
copyright issues and lack of time to photocopy. The author stated that lack of management
resulted in the missing of journals from the library. Diaz (2012)focused on the facilitation for
Spanish speakers by bilingual librarians. Reforma Colorado group (a library organization)
created a team of bilingual librarians which could provide better services to the Spanish speaking
library users at Regis University.Fahimnia, Hosseini, and Akbari (2012)studied selected
dissemination of information (SDI) at the University of Tehran. At first, a survey was conducted
to identify the information needs. After that SDI service was started. Thirdly, the impact of the
SDI was measuredsignificant.Jankowski (2013)measured the six sigma process, as implemented
by the circulation department of the University at Bufallo. The researcher described the
advantages of the six sigma process as well as changes in and rescheduling of circulation
process. Outcomes revealed that the implementation of the six sigma process was highly
successful at the University.
MULTI FACTOR SERVICES
P. Kao and Kuan-nien (2011) described the National Taiwan University Medical Library where a
reading room service started in 2008. On the third floor of the library, a discussion and reading
room was constructed. The researchers named this room the “Reading Paradise” which was built
on the area of nine hundred and ninety nine square feet and was highly comfortable with a large
collection of reference material and books. To attract users, the library provided computers,
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11
books, and a place where people could rest and enjoy themselves. The library also provided a
conference room for group discussion. The researchers remarked that the users of discussion
room were increasing. Curry (2003) conducted a quantitative survey to explore the times during
which students mostly use the library.Despite that fact that the library remained open 24 hours ,
the results indicated that most of the students used the library between 9am to 10pm.
Hadjopoulou (1996)gave an overview of the open shelving systems at Bibliotheque National de
France (BNF). The books at BNF were arranged using two kinds of classification systems:
firstly, in Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme order and secondly shelve classification. In
shelve classification books are kept in subject arrangement; keeping every subject in a different
shelve/s.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY AND DESIGN
The Quantitative survey research method was used to conduct this study.“Quantitative
approaches, can help to: provide large, representative samples of cultural communities; reliably
assert cause-and-effect relationships among constructs as well as confirm or disconfirm
theoretical hypotheses" (Ponterotto, Mathew, & Raughley, 2013, p. 47).
The researcher devised a structured questionnaire for participants to fill in. / These self
designed questionnaires collected information on educational levels, which were split into five
different levels. These were then compared to the electronic, librarians' end, technical knowledge
and multifactor services. Firstly, "Matriculation";secondly "graduation"; thirdly, "MLIS" and
fourthly, "M Phil LIS" and fifthly, PhD were measured in the questionnaire. These five
categories were selected to conveniently measure the known degree titles here in Pakistan. These
categories were given in the questionnaires to mark.
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12
Snow ball technique as deployed by (Kashima, Wilson, Lusher, Pearson, & Pearson,
2013; Rodrigues, Bottcher-Luiz, Giglio, & Habib, 2012; Zuffa, Meringolo, & Petrini, 2014) was
employed to identify the sample. The first library in charge named the other library in-charges or
named other special libraries. If first respondent was not knowing the name of any other potential
respondent, he was asked to name any other special library for the maximum identity of sample.
In this way, seventy-one respondents were ensured to be there heading NASL of Lahore. "In
snowball sampling, an initial set of respondents, denoted as seeds, is enquired to report their
alters. These alters are then invited to participate in the survey and to report their alters in turn."
Goodman, 1961 as cited by (Illenberger & Flötteröd, 2012, p. 701). This is “a technique for
finding research subjects. One subject gives the researcher the name of another subject, who in
turn provides the name of a third, and so on"(Vogt, 1999, p. 368)
"Snowball sampling differs from Respondent-Driven Sampling, where the sampling
frame in unknown and the snowball mechanism is used to access a hard-to-reach population"
(Illenberger & Flötteröd, 2012, p. 702). Sampling frame was set the end point called point of
saturation as all the librarians of non-academic special libraries of Lahore were the sample for
the study. All the seventy one respondents were asked and they could name seventy-one non-
academic special librarians or libraries.
Questionnaires were left behind for absent respondents. Follow-up calls and reminders
sent through social media ensured a maximum response rate. In total, 71 special libraries were
found in Lahore. 44 out of 71 respondents returned the completed questionnaires. The data from
the questionnaires was entered into SPSS, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and
analyzed using the Chi-Square test.
DATA ANALYSIS
Table 1 Qualification of Respondents
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13
Qualification N %
Matriculation 6 13.6
Graduate 13 29.5
MLIS 23 52.3
M Phil 2 4.5
PhD 0 0
Although there is a considerable number of MLIS professionals in charge of special libraries,
there is a large number of non professionals heading these units. 19 out of 44 heads of the
libraries are graduates or undergraduates without any professional qualification relating to the
information profession.Only 25 professionals working in libraries had postgraduate degrees. 56%
were LIS professionals, including MLIS & M Phil while the remaining 44% were either
graduates or undergraduates. No PhD graduate was found to be serving in these Special
Libraries.
0
5
10
15
20
25
Under Matric Graduate MLIS M Phil PhD
6
13
23
20
13.60%
29.50%
52.30%
4.50%
0%
Qualifications
%
N
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14
Figure 1 Number and percentage of NASL in charges.
Table 2 Electronic Services difference according to qualification
Type of
Services
Matriculation
F (%)
(n=6)
Graduate
F (%)
(n=13)
MLIS
F (%)
(n=23)
M Phil
F (%)
(n=2)
PhD
F (%)
(n=0)
χ
2
P
1
Photocopy Service 1 (16.7) 0 (0) 12 (52.2) 2 (100) 0 (0) 14.749 .002
2
OPAC Service 2 (33.3) 2 (15.4) 11 (47.8) 1 (50) 0 (0) 3.963 .265
3
DVD Searching
Facility
1 (16.7) 0 (0) 8 (34.8) 1 (50) 0 (0) 6.699 .082
4
Audio Visual
Facility
2 (33.3) 3 (23.1) 9 (39.1) 1 (50.0) 0 (0) 1.189 .756
5
Scanning Facility
In The Library
3 (50) 0 (0) 9 (39.1) 2 (100) 0 (0) 11.220 .011
The percentage result of the M Phil professionals remained 100% in photocopy and
scanning facility. While in the rest of the services i.e. OPACS, DVD searching, and audiovisual
facility, the percentage of the M Phil professionals remained 50%.It was found to be higher than
other educational categories. The Chi-Square test P value indicates that there is a significant
difference among educational qualification categories in the photocopy service (.00) and
scanning facility (.01)
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15
Figure 2 Graphic representation of the differences of electronic services.
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Photocopy
Service
OPAC’s
Service
DVD
Searching
Facility
Audio Visual
Facility
Scanning
Facility In
The Library
Electronic Services Differences
Under Matric
Under Graduate
MLIS
M Phil
PhD
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16
Table 3 Librarians’ End Services according to qualification
Type of
Services
Matriculation
F (%)
(n=6)
Graduate
F (%)
(n=13)
MLIS
F (%)
(n=23)
M
Phil
F (%)
(n=2)
PhD
F (%)
(n=0)
χ
2
P
1 Interlibrary Loan
Service
1 (33.3) 0 (0) 6 (26.1) 1 (50) 0 (0) 4.991 .17
2
2 Book Bank
Service
1 (25.0) 1 (7.7) 5 (21.7) 1 (50) 0 (0) 2.530 .47
0
3 Reference Service 6 (100) 13 (100) 23 (100) 2 (100) 0 (0)
4 Document
Reservation
Service
3 (75) 8 (61.5) 15 (65.2) 2 (100) 0 (0) 1.301 .72
9
5 Orientation
Facility For New
Users
1 (16.7) 2 (15.4) 11 (47.8) 2 (100) 0 (0) 8.284 .04
0
6 Lending Service
With In The
Library
4 (66.7) 11 (84.6) 19 (82.6) 1 (50) 0 (0) 2.023 .56
8
The Chi-Square test P value indicates that the Orientation facility for new users was
significantly different at the value of 0.04. If the P value of Chi Square text is less than 0.05, it is
considered to be a significantly different. The rest of the services on the librarians’ end were not
significantly different in the Chi Square test P value. P value is .17 for inter library loan, .47 for
book bank, .72 for document reservation and .56 for lending service within library so being
greater than .05, all of these have no significant difference. The reference service was 100% for
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17
all the educational categories so it remained blank. The percentage of services provision of M
Phil-LIS Professionals remained high in this category as well except lending service. Library
heads providing inter library loan service were 50%, 0% graduate, 33.3% matriculates and
26.1% MLIS. Highest in book bank service were M. Phil 50% and the lowest were graduates
7.7%. Reference service remained 100% for all the categories. M. Phil library heads remained
100% in document reservation while graduates were at minimum level (61.5%). M Phil
professionals remained 100% services providers in the Orientation service while graduates
remained minimum at 15.4%. Lending service resulted differently. 84.6% graduates, 82.6%
MLIS, 66.7% matriculate and 50% M. Phil library heads were providing lending service.
Figure 3 Graphic representation of the Librarians’ End ServicesTable 4 Technical
Knowledge Services according to qualification
Type of
Services
Matriculation
F (%)
Graduate
F (%)
MLIS
M
Phil
PhD
χ
2
P
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Librarians' End Services
Under Matric
Under Graduate
MLIS
M Phil
PhD
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18
(n=6) (n=13) F (%)
(n=23)
F (%)
(n=2)
F (%)
(n=0)
1 Abstracting
Service
0 (0) 2 (16.7) 10 (43.5) 1 (50) 0 (0) 4.359 .225
2 Indexing Service 1 (33.3) 2 (16.7) 9 (39.1) 2 (100) 0 (0) 5.663 .129
3 Circulation
Service
3 (50.0) 12 (92.3) 20 (87.0) 1 (50) 0 (0) 6.814 .078
4 Current
Awareness
Service
2 (66.7) 0 (0) 16 (69.6) 2 (100) 0 (0) 17.855 .000
5 Translation
Service
1 (25) 0 (0) 6 (26.1) 1 (50) 0 (0) 5.133 .162
6 Selected
Dissemination
Of Information
1 (25) 0 (0) 9 (39.1) 1 (50) 0 (0) 6.727 .081
The Chi-Square test P value indicates a significant difference in the Current Awareness
service at (.00) while the percentage ratio of the M Phil services providers remains higher at the
rate of 100% in Indexing service, Current Awareness Service, and 50% at Abstracting,
Circulation, Translation and Selected Dissemination of Information. The percentage of the MLIS
professionals remained higher than the matriculates and undergraduates in all tech knowledge
service types.
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19
Figure 4 Graphic representation of Technical Knowledge Services.
Table 5 Multi Factor Services according to qualification
Type of Services Matriculation
F (%)
(n=6)
Graduate
F (%)
(n=13)
MLIS
F (%)
(n=23)
M
Phil
F (%)
(n=2)
PhD
F (%)
(n=2)
χ
2
P
1 Open Shelve
Service
3 (50.0) 12 (92.3) 18 (78.3) 1 (50) 0 (0) 5.074 .166
2 Discussion Room
Facility
3 (50) 4 (30.8) 9 (39.1) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1.877 .598
3 24/7 Open Library
Service
0 (0) 0 (0) 2 (8.7) 0 (0) 0 (0) 1.913 .591
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Technical Knowledge Service
Under Matric
Under Graduate
MLIS
M Phil
PhD
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The multi factor table displays no significant difference among the educational categories
when providing multi factor services using the Chi-Square test P value.
The most neglected service was the 24/7 library open service which was available in only
two libraries. The discussion room facility was available in 16 libraries. Three special libraries
that have discussion rooms were headed by individuals whose academic qualifications were
below matriculation while four were headed by undergraduate and nine by MLIS professionals
respectively.
Figure 5 Distribution of Multi Factor Services
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
Murray (2013) was of the view that despite of the multiple characteristics, special libraries have
a common characteristic which, is survival. As compared to academic and public libraries,
special libraries are not viewed necessary and special library professionals must be ready to
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Open Shelve Service Discussion Room
Facility
24/7 Library Open
Service
Multi Factor Services
Under Matric
Under Graduate
MLIS
M Phil
PhD
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demonstrate the value of library to the parent organization. Keeping in view the picture portrayed
by the researcher, the NASL of Lahore require a lot of improvement in terms of employing
qualified professionals.
The results of the study indicate that there is a large number of NASL, which are being
headed by persons with no professional qualifications. There can be multiple reasons: a lower
literacy rate in Pakistan, libraries being run equally well by professionals and non-professionals
or low compensation for qualifications. However, in the researcher’s opinion, the major reason is
that the Government appointing authorities and officials are unaware of the fact that there are
many vacancies in special libraries in Pakistan. The present study may serve as a prototype for
librarians and researchers to explore the situation in countries other than Pakistan. Another
reason for the current situation could be that the authorities are unaware of the value of
employing professionals. Five educational levels were measured i.e. matriculation,
Undergraduate, MLIS, M Phil and PhD. No PhD was found to be serving in these special
libraries, while two M Phil holders were currently providing services. 19 out of 44 heads of the
library were non qualified. The authorities should fill these slots with professionally educated
and trained persons.A total of 25 professionals found to be working in the libraries, had Masters
degrees. 56% are LIS professioanls, including MLIS & M Phil, whilethe rest were either
graduates or undergraduates. No PhD was found to be serving in these Special Libraries. The
same type of study can be conducted in countries other than Pakistan to ascertain the services
and personnel in charge of academic, public and special libraries.
The human mind opens,develops and explores new horizons, with knowledge.
Knowledge is the only source which not only allows but facilitates the initiation and maintenance
of services. As Wakhungu Olaka (2008) stated that since the inception of program in 2001 in
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Rawanda, the graduates have started serving as a true servants to the nation of Rawanda.
Libraries were closed before this scenario.
Findings indicated that the library and information
science graduates are steadily changing the library landscape in Rawanda
.
Educated individuals
have the requisite skills and to take initiative and give proper services.
In Electronic Services portion, both the photocopy and scanning service require
electronic machines in the library; nevertheless the difference among educational qualifications
remained significant. By photocopy and scanning service, there are two means: these services are
either provided within the library or permitted to be copied or scanned on the behalf of the users.
The percentage result of the M Phil professionals remained 100% in photocopy and scanning
facility while in the rest of the services i.e. OPACS, DVD searching, and audiovisual facility, the
percentage of the M Phil professionals remained 50% and it was found to be higher than other
professionals were. DVDs are not subject to searching databases only, instead international
publisher often accompany books with DVDs especially in medical and engineering. These
DVDs include lectures and practical orientation of the topic, which help in thorough
understanding of the topic. DVDs accompanied by DVDs can increase the understanding of the
users of every library in each country, to some extent. In a study in of educational perspective of
library services, researcher stated "lack of trained personnel manifested itself in the library
services being offered. Library services were underdeveloped, and none was computerized.
Being a librarian meant arranging books on the shlves and issuing then out. Electronic resources
were never on the agenda of such libraries" (Wakhungu Olaka, 2008, p. 301)Librarians’ End
Services are important because these services can be started with the librarians own will. Chi-
Square test’s P value indicates the significant difference in the orientation facility for M. Phil
library heads. M Phil professionals are providing 100% orientation, reference and document
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reservation service. Librarians themselves can ignite Librarians’ End Services on their own. All
over the world, there are non-academic special libraries whose librarians can find this list of
services; therefore this study can serve the purpose of initiating services and highlighting DVDs
as not only a searchable tool but accompanying material as well.
In the portion of Technical Knowledge Services, M Phil professionals providing current
awareness and indexing service are 100%. In all the rest of the Technical Knowledge services,
M. Phil professionals proved to be higher else circulation service. 92.3% under-graduates are
providing circulation service in their libraries. The Chi-Square test P value found a significant
difference in the Current Awareness service at (.00). The percentage of the MLIS professionals
remained higher than the matriculation and graduates in all tech knowledge service types.The
multi factor table indicated that there is no significant difference among the educational
categories when providing multi factor services using the Chi-Square test P value. The reason for
no significance difference might be because that these services are influenced by other factors.
Discussion room availability might be subject to the availability of library space.24/7 service will
be started only if users require the library to remain open 24/7 in the current scenario of current
affairs. This service was found in only two libraries. Initiative of this service depends upon many
factors including needs of the users. A discussion room facility is available in 16 out of 44
libraries. Gerolimos (2009) states as written by Biddiscombe (2001) that modern hybrid libraries
require modern hybrid librarians. Only professional librarians would be able to manage users and
libraries with the information systems of the future. The results of the study prove that a
qualified person equipped with the library and information science education serve and ignite
better services in the libraries. suggested that special libraries should have the ratio of 1:1 non-
professional and professional in special libraries. The researcher also suggested that in the
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special librarian where there is no separate information department the ratio should be 2:1.
Researcher further states that even in the organizations having separate information departments
should have the equal professionals and non-professionals where librarian has to carry out large
number of services.
The results of the present study can be generalized in the broader context of Pakistan but the
study findings can be applied across the world in order to ignite and provide better services.
Present study has broader implications in two ways. First, the information professionals are
taught and trained all over the world to satisfy the information needs of the library user so it is
not just the case of Pakistan. They are expert in information profession. So, globally, only the
LIS professionals should head the libraries. Second, services are required in all types of libraries
all over the world whether they are academic, special or public libraries. So are the results of the
study that better professionally qualified library head would be, better services would be
provided.
RECOMENDATIONS
1 Library and information science professionals should run the special libraries. They are
trained to manage libraries and they provide better services.
2 If there is a problem with buying photocopying and scanning machines for the library, the
users should be permitted to get their required materials copied and scanned in any other
location.
3 Until properly qualified LIS workers were hired, taking guidelines from this and other
studies should enable non-professional head librarians to start services themselves. 4 If the
non-professional staff were committed to the principles of librarianship they should
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commencetheir professional studies in LIS. By improving their education, they would not only
improve the level of services, but their job status would improve as well.
5 Non-professionals should learn from professionals, from the other studies and books.
Although technical knowledge services are part of expertise of librarians, non-professionals
should improve their services.
6 The library and information science professionals should be hired for the vacant
positions.
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Appendix B
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
1 PERSONAL INFORMATION OF LIBRARY IN CHARGE
1.1 Name……………………………………………………
1.2 Gender Male/Female
1.3 Highest Qualification
a) Under Matriculation" (Ten years of education)
b) Under graduation" (Fourteen years of education)
c) "MLIS" (Sixteen years of LIS education)
d) "M Phil LIS" (Eighteen years of LIS education)
e) PhD (More than Eighteen years of education)
1.4 Designation…………………………………………………
1.5 Name of the Organization
…………………………………………………………………………………………
1.6 Contact Number ……………………………………
1.7 E-mail ID………………………………………………………
1.8 In which year did the library came into being?
a) Before 1970 b) 1970 to 1985 c) 1985 to 2000 d) 2000 to date
2 STAFF INFRASTRUCTURE
2.1 Number of Library and Information Science professionals in the library?
….……………………………….
2.2 Number of Non Professional Staff in the library?
……………………………………..………………………………
2.3 Please mention the number of seats lying vacant of LIS professionals in the
library……………
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3 SOURCES OF THE LIBRARY
3.1 Physical & Electronic Facilities
3.1.1 What is the total annual budget for your library?
a) 0 to 10,000 b) 10,000 to 25,000 c) 25,000 to 50,000 d) 50,000 to 1,00,000 e) More
than 1,00,000
3.1.2 What is the number of your total library members?
a) 0 to 50 b) 50 to 100 c) 100 to 200 d) 200 to 400 e) more than 400
3.1.3 What is the seating capacity in the library?
a) 1 to 15 b) 15 to 30 c) 30 to 45 d) more than 45
3.1.4 What is the total number of air conditioners in the library?
a) 1 b) 2 to 4 c) 4 to 6 d) 6 to 8 e) more than 8
3.1.5 What is the number of computers for library staff in the library?
a) 1 b) 2-4 c) 4-8 d) 8 to 16 e) more than 16.
3.2 Print format sources
3.2.1 What is the number of print format Books in the library) 1 to 500 b)
500 to 1000 c) 1000 to 1500 d) more than 1500
3.2.2 What is the number of print format subscribed journals in library?
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 to 4 d) 4 to 8 e) more than 8
3.2.3 What is the number of subscribed newspapers in the library?
a) 0 b) 1 c) 2 to 4 d) 4 to 8 e) more than 8
3.3 Electronic Resources
3.3.1 What is the number of electronic books in the library?
a) 0 b) 1 to 100 c) 100 to 200 d) 200 to 400 e) more than 400
3.3.2 What is the number of electronic journals in the library?
a) 0 b) 1 to 100 c) 100 to 200 d) 200 to 400 e) more than 400
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4 SERVICES OF THE LIBRARY
Sr.
No
Type of Service Yes No I don’t
know
4.1 Abstracting Service is present in the library
4.2 Indexing Service is available in the library
4.3 Interlibrary loan service is provided to the
customers
4.4 Circulation service is given to the clients
4.5 The books are open shelve for the users in the
library
4.6 There is a book bank in the library for the users
4.7 Reference Service is provided to the users
4.8 Currant awareness service is provided to the
customers.
4.9 Photocopy facility is present in the library
4.10 Translation for any document facility is provided
in the library
4.11 Document reservation service is available in the
library
4.12 There are Online Public Access Catalogues in the
library for the help of researchers
4.13 CD Rom, DVD Rom searching facility is available
on library computers
4.14 Selected Dissemination of the Information is
carried out in the library
4.15 Does the library remain open round the clock
24/7?
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4.16 Discussion room facility is present in the library
4.17 Audio visual service is provided in the library in
the format of TV, conference calling etc.
4.18 Is orientation provided to new comers?
4.19 Lending service of materials is provided in the
library
4.20 Scanning facility is provided in the library
5 PROBLEMS DURING PROVISION OF SERVICES
Please mention the main problems that you have faced during the provision of
services to the clients?
………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………..
………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………
........................................................................................................................
............................
6 RECOMMENDATIONS WITH RESPECT TO IMPROVEMENT OF
SERVICES AND SOURCES
………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………
........................................................................................................................
...........................
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