Abstract:
This research project is a case study of the public sector university libraries in
Pakistan. This thesis investigates and documents the impact of digital technology on
library and information services and resources in the public sector universities of the
country. All 73 public sector universities in Pakistan have been covered.
Questionnaires, interviews, observation, web analyses and documentary sources of
information were the major data collection techniques.
The findings of the study reveal that the implementations of emerging library
technologies have positive impact on library services and resources in the public
sector universities in Pakistan. It was pinpointed that inadequate funding for library
automation, lack of skilled library professionals, lack of user education programs on
emerging library technologies, frequent power failure are the major barriers to the
implementation of latest technologies in university libraries of the country. The
findings also reflect that public sector university libraries of Islamabad and Punjab are
far ahead in modernization of library services and resources as compared with Sindh,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir& Northern Areas.
Recommendations are given at the end. Among other things, it is suggested that
separate budget for automation and digitization, recruitment of IT skilled human
resources, supply of powerful generators/ UPS, provision of latest hardware and
standardized library software, revision of LIS curriculum, systematic planning for
modernization of university libraries, digitization of library own publications,
provision of high bandwidth of internet speed connections , effective
periodic
training for library professionals and continuing user education on modern library
trends for library users are the tools which can be used for the improvement of
modern library culture in the universities of Pakistan .
