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The purpose of this study was to explore the current practices of information literacy instruction in the libraries of universities in Pakistan. The research method consisted of a quantitative approach using a structured questionnaire for empirical data collection, which was sent to the universities and degree awarding institutions recognised by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. The collected data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS version-24). Both the descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation) and inferential (Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U statistic) testing were applied for analysing the data. The findings of the study show that 63% of the responding university libraries offer information literacy (IL) education mostly to new students and this ranges from basic to advanced skills. Face-to-face delivery is the most popular IL delivery method. The IL instruction appears to take place in library training rooms. The outcome of this study will help the Library and Information Sciences (LIS) schools, library associations, and universities comprehend the present status of information literacy instructions in the libraries of Pakistani universities.

Purpose Deeni Madaris of Pakistan and their libraries are playing an important role in educating the large fraction of society. They have always been engaged in the development of social and cultural values of the Pakistani society. This study aims to investigate the organization of information resources and their utilization at Deeni Madaris libraries in the central Punjab, Pakistan.Design/methodology/approach Quantitative research approach was adopted for this study. A questionnaire was developed on the bases of related literature and discussions with experts of librarianship as well as Islamic studies in Pakistan. The questionnaire was sent to 49 Deeni Madaris, of which five did not have libraries and four did not respond. Forty (81.6 per cent) Deeni Madaris responded and provided the relevant data about their libraries. The collected data were analyzed through SPSS 22. Mostly descriptive statistics were applied to calculate the frequencies, percentage, means and standard deviations. A two-tailed t-test was applied to check the impact of cataloguing and automation on the use of information resources.Findings It was found that majority of the respondents developed their own classification and cataloguing methods for the organization of information resources and did not have a proper retrieval system. Majority of the respondents were providing lending services to readers. Teachers and final-year students were the key users of the libraries. They mostly referred to books, theses and serials written in Urdu and Arabic language. The situation of library computerization was very weak; only 19 libraries had computers and 11 of them have partially automated the library activities. Library automation and catalogue put positive effects on the use of library resources.Originality/value The exploration of the literature showed that libraries of Madaris in Pakistan have always been a priority, but these libraries did not get a position in the library literature as they deserve. This study will fill this gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to explore the intention and competency of Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals regarding sensitivity of gender-related issues in libraries and to examine the effect of a short-term (five days) thematic training workshop on Information Management with Gender Perspectives for LIS professionals. Data was collected from working librarians around the country using two separate channels, i.e. an online questionnaire, and pre/post-training test results from the trainees of a workshop on gender mainstreaming in libraries. The findings discuss the level of competencies, need for training, and attitudinal responsiveness of LIS professionals in Pakistan and appropriate measures are discussed. Moreover, gender-related issues and the current status of LIS professionals are alarming in terms of gender responsiveness. Findings show that only 17% of the LIS community is gender responsive. The results are useful for planners of engendered programmes and policies, library science professionals and researchers, especially in the field of gender and women’s studies and provide an insight for international readers into the perception of LIS professionals on mainstreaming gender in Pakistani libraries. This study uniquely presents the current status and preparedness of LIS professionals to address gender-related issues in libraries [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional Training Programs (PTPs) are a lifelong leaning process and are indispensable for professional growth. Pakistan Academy for Rural Development (PARD), Peshawar, Pakistan since its inception, has a rich experience of training, research and experimentation. The library at PARD has been instrumental in effective service delivery to its users from the last 50 years. Although the library had been involved in conducting short refresher courses for Library & Information Science (LIS) professionals rather in an informal context, however, the library decided in 2008 to launch training programs for professionals. Since then, the library has conducted ten professional trainings so far on different areas like: (i) Library Automation, (ii) Library Management, (iii) Information Technology Applications, (iv) Knowledge & Information Management, (v) Communication, (vi) structured/unstructured Information, (vii) Leadership & Management and (viii) Needed competencies in the context of library and information systems and services, furthering continuing education opportunities for over 600 senior and mid-career level professionals. Evaluation reports and feedback from the participants revealed that the programs had intensively developed their professional and personal capabilities in several areas. Further, analysis of the pre-test and post-test reveal that participants have considerably improved their knowledge and skills in areas like collection development, collection organization, service design and delivery activities. Giving a brief description about the historical perspectives, the paper provides an overview of the program contents, objectives, schedule, delivery methods, participant profiles and evaluation of the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bibliometric is a set of mathematical and statistical methods used to analyze and measure the quantity and quality of books, articles, and other forms of publications. This study aims at Analyzing the research performance output in library and information science research articles, published in an online journal, Library Philosophy and Practice (LPP). This study covers the papers published during the years 2006 to 2012 Country contributions, author collaborations, paper lengths and individual author contributions during the period of January 2006 to June 2012 have been analyzed and included in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – Classification systems play a fundamental role in the organization, display, retrieval and access to the knowledge materials in libraries. These systems have served the purpose adequately in most of knowledge areas; nevertheless, some grey areas lack proper place and enumeration in these systems. Islamic knowledge is among the areas that have not been properly addressed. The purpose of this paper is to examine this problem and indicate a potential solution. Design/methodology/approach – This paper expands on the author's earlier research which focused on Pakistan library collections. Empirical data have been collected from 16 LIS scholars who have interest in or expertise on this issue through interviews. Scholars are from Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UK, the USA and Canada. A review of the literature is also presented. Findings – A number of approaches have been taken to work around the deficiencies of the standard classification systems when it comes to Islamic knowledge and publications, including indigenous systems and expansions. Details of some of these are presented. A range of possible improvements to existing classification systems was suggested by scholars, and an outline of what is required in a new, independent system is discussed, along with ideas about the best way for this system to be developed. Originality/value – The paper discusses an area of professional concern that has been discussed widely in Islamic countries, but only in a limited fashion outside of Islamic countries. Thus, the paper should be of interest to researchers and practitioners interested in cataloguing and classification theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw an exact and accurate picture of classification problems being faced by libraries having a reasonable amount of collections on Islam. Different classification systems have been developed during the last two centuries to organize library materials. Where these systems provided libraries with better solution for organization of materials, the systems have also some limitations. Religious materials are one of the areas where these systems could not satisfy a reasonable number of libraries. The libraries that have rich collections on Islam are also facing such problems. This study has been conducted with the aim of addressing this problem. Design/methodology/approach – The study comprises a precise review of literature relevant to this problem, along with the collection and analysis of data from such libraries from all the main cities of Pakistan. The data have been collected using the interview technique. Findings – The review of literature and empirical data collected for this study show that the libraries are facing problems regarding the classification of materials where there are rich collections on Islam. The standard classification systems have not provided proper place and enumeration to Islamic topics in their schemes. There is no standard or uniform practice among the libraries to classify materials on Islam. Different libraries are using different systems, which has resulted placement of same materials at different locations. There is no coordination among libraries having rich collections on Islam for some common plan of action to resolve the problem in hand. No work on automated classification has been done in Pakistan so far and this is the area that needs working on in the future. Research limitations/implications – The paper focusses on materials in libraries in one country only, however highlights issues relevant to other Islamic countries in organizing such materials. Originality/value – The paper discusses an area of professional concern that has been discussed widely in Islamic countries, but only in a limited fashion outside of Islamic countries. Thus the paper should be of interest to researchers and practioners interested in cataloging theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study aimed at devising a classification scheme for the subject matter of Islam by achieving several objectives including knowing the suitability of standard system in libraries with a big collection of materials on Islam, determining satisfaction level with present system and the opinion of scholars on designing a suitable system for Islamic materials. Also discussed in the study are the methodology, literature review, and the results of the study.

Marketing of Library and Information Services (LIS) is one of the emerging disciplines the Library and information science education in Pakistan. Although many of the libraries have the awareness of this discipline, especially in University and private sector librarianship, but the real implementation of marketing strategies and techniques in our libraries is an aspect that is yet to be seen in its true spirit. In this paper, an effort has been made to develop an understanding of basics of marketing and a chart has been presented on preparing a marketing plan for the libraries. A unique aspect of LIS marketing, Third Party Theory has also been introduced. The paper will support the library professionals to prepare, present, implement and review their marketing plans over specified periods of time. A brief note on current scenario of LIS marketing education, being departed in the departments of library and information science in the universities of Pakistan has also been included in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article announces the appointment of Ataur Rehman as the Urdu Greenstone language maintainer by the Greenstone Digital Library.