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This study is qualitative in nature and aims at assessing the information needs and seeking behavior of educational administrators and finding related problems. Interviews of a purposive sample and review of related literature are among the major research methods. The study is based on interviews of 13 educational administrators and 32 information professionals from Punjab province and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) of Pakistan. The results correspond with the previous studies conducted in other countries. The educational administrators' information needs and seeking behavior reflect a kinship with their work settings and information environment that highlights a need to understand problem situations as an ancestor to understanding how they seek and use information. The study has identified a gap in the provision of needed information which hinders the realistic planning and decision making process. It has also highlighted the need of a National Information System for educational administrators in Pakistan. As this is the first study on this topic in Pakistan, the results can be useful to design information services and facilities for educational administrators in Pakistan and other developing regions of the globe with similar conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Government College University, Lahore is the oldest seat of learning in Sub-continent. It is the Alma-matter of many renowned scholars, researchers, writers and philosophers. Besides this great honor, GCU Library stands prominent among its peers for preserving highly valuable personal collections. It is the preserver of over 48 personal collections having more than 124,000 books. It also includes 6134 letters of 1933 literary figures of Urdu language and literature. Few personal collections had been sent to England many years ago. But after their inheritors' visit to the GCU Library, they decided to bring those collections back to Pakistan and donated them to GCU. The historical record of 4970. letters and scripts of famous short stories, poems and essays by prominent men of letters has recently been donated to GCU. Saadat Hasssan Manto's famous typewriter has also been preserved at the Library. Besides these personal collections, a special collection of very old and rare books/manuscripts have been developed in 1998. GCU Library is also working on digitization of these precious manuscripts and rar.e books since 2005. An index with library reference pages of valuable collection of former Indian Govt. documents, reports, gazettes, gazetteers etc. is arranged subject wise. GCU has also decided to set up Nuqoosh Museum at the GCU Library. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to reveal the current status of services in the Quaid-e-Azam Medical College library (QMC), Government College of Technology library (GCT) & University College of Engineering & Technology library (UCET) at Bahawalpur. The data were collected through questionnaire survey of library users along with interviews of special librarians. This study was confined only to the three special libraries of Bahawalpur. The data collected were analyzed and conclusions were drawn. The analyses revealed that services provide by the special libraries of Bahawalpur were not up to the mark and users were not satisfied with the quality of services. Libraries had not up to date material. Adequate computers and internet facility was not available in the libraries. Findings of the study can be useful for understanding the problems faced by the special libraries of remote/less-developed areas of Pakistan and other developing countries of the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a survey of large public sector university libraries of the Punjab Province and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) of Pakistan. The basic purpose is to get a broader understanding of users' perceptions about the library services. The survey is based on a questionnaire containing both open and close ended questions. The data were collected through mail, e-mail and personal visits. The study reveals that although respondents have shown their overall satisfaction with the library services, but the analysis of the data about users' satisfaction with major library services shows that they were not fully satisfied with their respective library services. The library users have also highlighted many problems, which they believed should be corrected. Findings of the study can be helpful for the library authorities and professionals for revisiting their library services and sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a survey of large public sector university libraries of the Punjab Province and Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) of Pakistan. The basic purpose is to get a broader understanding of users' perceptions about the library services. The survey is based on a questionnaire containing both open and close ended questions. The data were collected through mail, e-mail and personal visits. The study reveals that although respondents have shown their overall satisfaction with the library services, but the analysis of the data about users' satisfaction with major library services shows that they were not fully satisfied with their respective library services. The library users have also highlighted many problems, which they believed should be corrected. Findings of the study can be helpful for the library authorities and professionals for revisiting their library services and sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study is presented on alumni participation in the library and information science (LIS) review in the Master of LIS (MLIS) program at the University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. Topics include the types of employment attained by MLIS graduates, effectiveness of various MLIS courses in developing job skills for alumni, and the perceived quality of teaching methods in the program.

A case study is presented regarding the Masood Jhandeer Research Library (MJRL) in Sardarpur Jhandeer, Pakistan, the country's largest private library. Topics include the availability of equipment and facilities for the preservation and conservation of manuscripts and rare materials, MJRL's plans for future development, and the status of the library's collection as of December 2011.

The article examines the importance of refining job descriptions in order to attract qualified candidates for librarian positions in Pakistani government libraries in 2011. It analyzes the librarian job advertisements for the Pakistani government in order to understand the qualification, experience, and personal traits desired in government employees as well as the nature of library positions. Other topics include how the growing use of the Internet in research is changing librarians' job duties, the need for a master's degree in library and information science (MLIS) for government employees, and recommendations for how government hiring agencies should be involved in revising library job descriptions.

The article presents the results of a study investigating the use of web 2.0 in libraries in Pakistan, with particular focus given to the attitudes of Pakistani information science professionals regarding the phenomenon. An overview of web 2.0 and its adoption by libraries is offered, and the study's goals and methodology are described. The findings that web 2.0 usage is rising in Pakistan and that the majority of librarians and other professionals felt positively towards it are also commented on.

The article presents a study done at University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan and The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan which looks at the perceptions of students users of the library reference services available to them at the University of Punjab. It discusses the relationship between student users and the reference staff members, evolving technologies and how librarians keep up with this, and the changing needs of student users. Topics also include institutional integration of library resources into course curricula, and the creative placement of librarians outside of the library such as in classrooms, via online chat, and in laboratories.

This article discusses a study on the information needs and information-seeking behaviors of faculty members and researchers at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur in Pakistan. Topics include impacts of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and the information explosion of the twentieth century on the research process, a breakdown of the purpose and habits of information-seeking behavior among Bahawalpur researchers, and potential solutions to the lack of computer hardware or software that provided the greatest barrier to study participants in accessing library materials for research.

This study aimed at finding the trend of social media usage among the students of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB). For this purpose a sample of final year students was taken from the Geography Department. A questionnaire survey was administered to get the response from the students. The questionnaire was containing both open and close ended questions. The responses show that many social media websites such as CiteULike, Technorati, Connotea, Blogger, Twitter and Wikis etc. were frequently used by the responded students for communication, research work, online learning and making social contacts. It was also found that they have good IT skills and sophisticated tools and good Internet connections available to them so they do not encounter any problems in accessing these sites. Although this survey is restricted to a group of Geography students of IUB, the data obtained provide some insights into how students in Pakistan have been using the social media for both formal and informal types of learning and communication. In general, the acceptance by Pakistani students towards the use of social media for learning seems positive. It is hoped that the findings described here will help build a foundation for future investigations in Pakistan related to social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research methods used in library science with a focus on the Pakistan National Information System for Educational Administrators (PAK-NISEA) model. Brief information is given about studies on librarianship, library and information science theory, and research trends in library science. The theoretical framework and validation of the proposed PAK-NISEA model are discussed. Brief information is given about research strategies including historical analysis, library and community surveys, operations, experimental, and evaluation research methods, case study method, content analysis, comparative librarianship, and Delphi method.

This study aimed at finding the trend of social media usage among the students of the Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB). For this purpose a sample of final year students was taken from the Geography Department. A questionnaire survey was administered to get the response from the students. The questionnaire was containing both open and close ended questions. The responses show that many social media websites such as CiteULike, Technorati, Connotea, Blogger, Twitter and Wikis etc. were frequently used by the responded students for communication, research work, online learning and making social contacts. It was also found that they have good IT skills and sophisticated tools and good Internet connections available to them so they do not encounter any problems in accessing these sites. Although this survey is restricted to a group of Geography students of IUB, the data obtained provide some insights into how students in Pakistan have been using the social media for both formal and informal types of learning and communication. In general, the acceptance by Pakistani students towards the use of social media for learning seems positive. It is hoped that the findings described here will help build a foundation for future investigations in Pakistan related to social media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a model development approach for proposing the Pakistan National Information System for Educational Administrators (PAK-NISEA). It defines the features of the proposed model, including development in phases, pooling the existing information systems and access and services based on knowledge environment model. It also asserts that the model is an effective research tool which provides a logical guideline to researchers in proposing any new library systems or services.

The study reviews the important role of information systems and their impact on educational planning and development. It also attempts to identify gaps in the provision of information needed by educational administrators who are key planners of education enterprise in Pakistan. It intended to determine their views about the development, objectives and needed services of a user centered information system for educational administrators. To achieve these objectives, a literature review, questionnaire survey and interviews were conducted. Thus, the educational administrators (i.e., registrars/deans/chairpersons in universities and principals of schools and colleges) were identified as the target population for the survey and were selected through cluster sampling. The respondents were from the Punjab province and Islamabad Capital Territory. In total, 297 (99%) responses were received and analyzed quantitatively. Interviews of purposefully selected educational administrators were also conducted for a more in-depth understanding of respondents’ points of view. This triangulation of qualitative and quantitative methods helped in understanding the phenomena under study. Recommendations and conclusions are also drawn in the light of findings of the study. The study is the first one of its type that tried to probe the gaps in the process of accurate/valid information supply to educational administrators and planners. This gap is causing serious challenges for education in Pakistan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The digital revolution has turned the world in an information society where information has become a commodity and a symbol of success and power. This revolution has also raised the issue of information rich and information poor. In this new digital era, developing countries are left with no choice other than to enter this new paradigm. As technology is getting more sophisticated and more affordable every day, the range of services provided is increasing accordingly. The picture captured through literature review reveals not only the transformation of industrial society into the information society but the important role of information systems and networks in enabling the information society as well. In this scenario, the paper stresses on the need of sophisticated information systems and networks for survival of Pakistan in the information society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study reported here explored the reasons for the relatively limited use of the Internet among educated Pakistani adults. A fairly large sample of Internet nonusers from different cities of the Punjab Province with at least secondary school education participated in a survey. Some graduate students and cyber café owners were also interviewed. The results of this study are reported in the main body of this paper, indicating that a variety of cultural, educational, and economic factors are responsible for this state of affairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on aspects of marketing research as a tool for finding library users' needs and demands. The study provides suggestions on how to prepare a detailed marketing plan. It suggests the importance of reference and information services for researchers to further research and development in their countries.

In higher education, university rankings are listings of universities in an order determined by any combination of factors. Rankings can be based on subjectively perceived "quality," on some combination of empirical statistics, or on surveys of educators. scholars, students, prospective students, etc. In this era of challenges and changes in higher education, one thing remains constant: the importance of libraries in providing access to information and expert assistance in the use of information for both academic purposes and in support of lifelong learning. In case of HEC University ranking criteria, library role is limited only to the number of books and journals per student, while services aspect is not considered at all. This evaluation criteria may encourage the university and library authorities to focus only on increasing the number of books and journals, while ignoring the qualitative aspect of library services. Keeping this gap in view, this study aims at finding the ways of incorporating the qualitative aspects of library services into university ranking criteria. This will encourage the authorities to focus more on qualitative aspects of library services, which may result in enhancing the learning, teaching and research at universities. For this study, data were collected through document analysis, online survey and interviews of library and information professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the highlights of the conference "21st Century Vision for Libraries" held on October 13-14, 2010 at COMSTECH Secretariat in Islamabad, Pakistan. The conference was divided into four sessions which had an inaugural and concluding sessions. The first business session was coordinated by Salim Khan and entitled "Competencies for Information Professionals." The second session entitled "Application of Technologies in Libraries" was coordinated by Saima Qutub and chaired by Doctor Kanwal Ameen.

The article discusses the highlights of the Pakistan Library Science Conference held in Baragali from June 28, 2009 to July 2, 2009. The event was organized by Hamid Rehman, Muhammad Ismail and Sajjad Ahmad. Key note speaker Saeed-ullah Jan delivered a presentation about the impact of digital technology on public library services. Another paper presented at the conference dealt with the flaws and loopholes in the legal system that covers libraries and copyright.

Pakistan is a developing country with many social and economic problems, but indicators show that an information society is emerging in this country at a very fast pace. These indicators include fast-growing telecommunication facilities, free flow of information through electronic media and the use of computers and the Internet in public life. This paper argues that libraries can play a vital role in an information society. The situation of libraries in Pakistan, particularly public and school libraries, is very poor. Most federal policies do not provide for the establishment of effective libraries. Some policies do recommend a library system but there is no effort to implement these at the governmental level. This paper urges decision makers to include libraries in their planning for the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the study that investigates the methods and sources used by humanities teachers to acquire required information. It suggests that humanities scholars' information needs are diverse and they rely heavily on books and older materials, indicating that the lack of availability of required material in libraries is a major problem in information seeking. It is essential for library and information to conduct further studies on user information needs. science professionals

The article focuses on the information needs and information seeking activities of arts and humanities college teachers. This was a library survey that focused on the University of Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan. The purpose of the study is to discover the importance of the various information resources teachers use for their presentations and research, motivations behind why they practice information-seeking, as well as the conflicts experienced when they are engaged in information seeking activities.