List of Public Libraries In Pakistan

 INTRODUCTION

Pakistan has a grand record in recognition of literary and library activities considering its very inception. Its history traced returned to the oldest civilization of Taxila, Harappa, and Indus valley, which remained the seats of Buddhists with Gandahara tradition for a duration of long term, the Aryan subculture and Hinduism respectively. The valley of the Indus performed the function of a center parent in constituting the History of Pakistan. The history of Books and libraries a number of human beings in this area may be traced back to the Sixth Century, A.D when paper changed to being used in Gilgit and Kashmir, and as a result, the Libraries have been hooked up at UCH, Multan, Tatta and lots of different locations of this place.

Before the invasion of Muhammad Bin Qasim in Sindh in 712 A.D., there has been the very rare concept of Books and Libraries had been in existence from which most effective human beings from the advanced caste can be benefitted. The younger Arab General introduced Islamic Education in the valley of Sindh. He laid down the muse of Maktab Madrassas connected with Mosques. After Muhammad Bin Qasim, the chain of libraries was established by way of Mahmood Ghaznavi, Ghori, Toghlak, Lodhi, and Mughal.

Each Mughal Emperor had his personal library. When Pakistan got here to be in 1947, no question that Libraries definitely existed but the collection and construction of those libraries have been in a very bad situation. The following libraries existed in this location at the time of independence.

1. Liaqat Hall Library Karachi was founded in 1851.
2. Khaliq Dinna Hall library Karachi was founded in 1856.
3. Christian College Library Lahore was founded in 1866.
4. Punjab Public Library Lahore was founded in 1884.
5. Fort Sandeman Library Quetta was based in 1884.
6. Divisional Public LIBRARY Khair Pur Sind was founded in 1903.
7. Punjab University Library Lahore was founded in 1908.
8. Islamia College Library Peshawar was based in 1913.
9. Dayal Singh Trust Library Lahore was founded in 1928.
10. Karachi Civil Secretariat Library.

A component of this some non-public libraries have existed in this region.

Library Education in Pakistan:

At the time of independence, there was no formal college of Library training in Pakistan. In 1950 Punjab Library Association started a six-month degree direction in Library Science, but it could not function on normal bases. Karachi Library Association also started out a 4-month route in Library Science. 

Apart from the program given inside the timetable certificates programs also are organized via the Pakistan Library Association in the most important towns of the USA. The reason for such programs is to fulfill Library demands and acquaint the in-provider personnel with the modern era in a short time.

The situation of Library Science at the Intermediate and BA stages has been introduced in Pakistan. More than 60 schools throughout Pakistan are engaged in coaching the subject of Library Science. The provincial Government of Sindh has arranged separate staff for this difficulty, While the Librarian of other provinces in Pakistan is teaching the difficulty on voluntary bases. However, the Government has committed that a separate body of workers can be provided for this difficulty.

GOVT: ROLE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIBRARIES IN PAKISTAN

Since its independence, no scheme for the improvement of Libraries become devised to broaden the Libraries on cutting-edge traces. Several fees have been installed by way of the Government for behavior surveys by means of the experts however they all got moved nothing. In 1949 Late Dr. Abdul Moid prepared a plan called "NATIONAL PLAN FOR LIBRARY SERVICES IN PAKISTAN" wherein 3200 Libraries were endorsed on a national level and one each for the provincial head sector, local district, and municipal cities, and even cellular libraries for faraway regions have been additionally cautioned, but the Government had not taken any interest on this regard. In 1956 Mr.L.C Key has prepared a file beneath the scheme of the Colombo plan called" document and inspiration at the established order and improvement of Library provider in Pakistan" on this proposal 36 Libraries had been recommended as one National Library and two provincial and one for every college 20 for schools and one special Library became proposed, but the Government has thrown the record within the bloodless garage. In 1959 a special scheme turned into organized by means of the Govt: of Pakistan to establish a public library system, with the justification that every province, department, district, tehsil, and union council might be supplied with a library. To some quantity, the scheme has been applied. In 1980 on the recommendation of the Ex-president of Pakistan General Muhammad Zia ul Haq's technical running organization changed to constituted by using the ministry of Education under the chairmanship of Dr. Anis Khurshid with the member of each province and Federal place. The organization visited remote and unapproachable regions of the united states of America, conducted interviews/survey programs, and prepared a comprehensive file. It becomes cautioned that eight,000 libraries can be established inside the six five-year plan, but the scheme has not been applied. Although the Govt: has installed National Library in Islamabad and Provincial Library in every Provincial Headquarter.

NATIONAL LIBRARY OF PAKISTAN :

National Libraries the improvement of nations have a critical role to play. Information has now turned out to be a very vital and important ingredient for the selection-making procedures, so that is required on the legislative foundation to play its function within the maintenance, boom, and dissemination of the highbrow and cultural heritage of the people of Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan has established a Directorate of Archives and Libraries in 1949 at Karachi below the Ministry of schooling for the safety of the literary background of its humans. National Library became also mounted in 1950 as a department of this Directorate. In the year 1954, the Liaqat Memorial Library became merged with the National Library and was named Liaqat National Library. In 1969, the Library turned into declared a legal depository under the Copyright Law. This Library persevered to the characteristics of the National Library until 1986.

The new building of the National Library of Pakistan is placed on constitution Avenue in G 5 Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan with a whole covered location of 168,844 sq.Toes.It turned into inaugurated by means of Mr. MOEEN QURESHI the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 24 August 1993. Over the beyond few years approximately 90,000 volumes have been obtained via purchases, gifts, and criminal deposits. This consist of 522 handwritten manuscripts and over 9400 uncommon books in Urdu, Arabic, Persian, etc.

LIBRARY FOUNDATION IN PUNJAB THE GREATEST PROVINCE IN PAKISTAN

In the 8 decades of this century, the Government of Pakistan has taken an amazing step for the development of Libraries in PAKISTAN and installed PUNJAB LIBRARY FOUNDATION in 1985 in Lahore. The basis presents books and monetary assistance to Punjab's major Libraries. It closely paintings with the Pakistan Library Association in connection with the expert increase of activities within the united states of America. The foundation has additionally commenced its cell Library offerings in Lahore the huge town of Punjab. It is hoped that such like foundations could be installed in different provinces of Pakistan.

PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM IN PAKISTAN

Public Libraries are humans orientated Libraries and work for the betterment of human beings to train humans and to offer statistics to the masses, however, they must be installed beneath the clean mandate of law to make sure nationwide provision of public library providers. IFLA has set up 3 ideas for Public Library devices.

There has to be typically applicable and mandatory legislation.

There should be a central authority charged with supervising the implementation of the regulation.

The rules countrywide or state charged with duty for imparting Public Library provider.

In Pakistan, no interest has been given closer to the charter of Public Library Legislation. Few efforts had been made by the character to plot the public library machine however they all had been dumped inside the cold garage with the Government. The Pakistan Library Association has now organized a draft for the first time for the Public Library Act in which the Directorate for Public Library in every Province is recommended with a professionally certified and in a position Director of Libraries, provincial Library Board is usually recommended to consist of sixteen participants.

Under this act, the subsequent neighborhood government has to be constituted.

• District Library Council with the strength to establish department libraries in the towns.
• City Library councils for each town with a population of 300000 and above.
• Municipal Library council for each town with a population not much less than 50,000.
• Tehsil Library council for such a tehsil metropolis in which no nearby frame exists in the tehsil city.
• Town Library council every for such towns or towns with a population between 10000 to 50000.

FUNCTION AND DUTIES OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES

• To offer comprehensive and efficient library services for all citizens.
• To cooperate with other forums.
• To inspire adults and kids to make complete use of library providers.
• To hire a committee for inquiry.
• To be given any gift for fundraising.
• To make associations for lectures and organize programs of adult literacy.

In this Act it's miles suggested that every local authority shall allocate 2% of their price range for the cause of offering unfastened public library offerings. But it'll take time to implement.

At gift, there are approximately 182 public libraries in Pakistan that are working without any system and making plans few libraries are operating underneath the Asia Foundation have additionally been brought.

SERVICE STRUCTURE FOR LIBRARIANS IN PAKISTAN :

For the service structure of the library, experts are worried no attention has been given by way of the Government to formulate carrier rules for librarians. Since 1957 sixteen Pakistan Library Association meetings are held in Pakistan. In every convention, PLA demanded carrier structure for library professionals but they all have been dumped within the cold garage with the Government.

Gift pay scales for Librarian are:

University:

1. No uniform policies are formulated for college librarians in Pakistan. College Grant Commission formulates guidelines for a librarian with the justification of,
2. Chief Librarian BPS.19
3. Deputy Librarian BPS.18
4. Assistant Librarian BPS.17
5. Librarian BPS.Sixteen

College:

1. Librarian Misc BPS.17
2. Librarian DLIS BPS.16
3. Some posts of Librarian had been upgraded to BPS.18 on the bases of seniority in Post Graduate schools in Pakistan.

Schools (Higher secondary):

1. Librarian MLISc BPS.17
2. Librarian DLIS BPS.Sixteen

Public Libraries:

No uniformity in their pay scales in Pakistan. The Government has committed that the Librarian could be given identical fame to college trainers.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES OF PAKISTAN

One of the most extensive factors of the contemporary century has been the emergence of a variety of recent and specialized topics. Of these subjects, information or records explosion is of instead latest beginning and in gaining importance each day. Information has attained the importance of being an essential part of national assets. It isn't always best a national aid crucial for scientific and economic development, but additionally the medium of social verbal exchange. It has to turn out to be called "a new wealth of nations".

There are 22 universities in Pakistan as under:

• General universities thirteen
• Engineering universities 4
• Agricultural 3
• Health Science 1
• Management Technology 1

All those universities having the pc facilities in their Libraries. Out of twenty-two most effective 6 universities use CD ROM and possess a number of worldwide databases on CD ROM. Few of them have email and net facilities additionally. The main component for not introducing information technology inside the college libraries of Pakistan appears to be the dearth of initiative and failure to understand the significance of information by way of the top management of the college, loss of right budget, lack of educated manpower, loss of statistics sensitivity also is the reason of its failure.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL ACTIVITIES IN PAKISTAN

The bibliography is stated to be the shape of the ebook International of any kingdom. The importance of any nation may be gauged from its ebook and its bibliographical activities. After independence, the first bibliography become compiled through Mr. A.R.Ghani Pakistan a pick-out bibliography" In 1950 Pakistan Bibliographical Working Group turned into formed in Pakistan subsidized with the aid of UNESCO. The organization has published its first bibliography" Guide to work of reference in Pakistan" In the equal 12 months the institution has published every other bibliography" A Guide to Periodical and Newspaper posted in Pakistan"The outstanding fulfillment of this organization is a compilation of Retrospective National Bibliography of Pakistan"

The compilation of the National Bibliography of Pakistan changed into assigned to National Bibliographical Unit in 1962 under the patronage of the Directorate of Libraries, Ministry of Education Government of Pakistan. The unit has worked in this venture and compiled correctly a few parts of the National Bibliography. Compilation of the work of 1947 1962 is in progress. Along with this, the National Book Centre with the cooperation of UNESCO has posted a massive wide variety of bibliographies in Pakistan.

• " Books from Pakistan" was posted in 1973.
• Literature for youngsters in Urdu was posted in 1967.
• "Books on Pakistan" in 1965.
• Book international of Pakistan in 1967.
• Reference books in Urdu.

Apart from that quantity of alternate bibliographies had been compiled via publishers and booksellers in Pakistan.

PAKISTAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION :

Pakistan Library Association was installed in March 1957. At present, it has extra than 1500 members. During the span of 39 years, the association has held 16 country-wide meetings in the provincial head region of Pakistan. The headquarter of the affiliation maintains converting and rotating from one province to the other after two years.

• Aims and Objectives of PLA
• Help to establish a complete data provider
• Provide technical recommendations and help
• Improve the prevailing library offerings in Pakistan.
• Conduct research within the field of LIBRARY SCIENCE
• Improve the reputation and professional standing of librarians
• Improve access to information via facts technology

PLA has branch councils in each provincial capital and one federal chapter in Islamabad. Constitutional modifications are considered in the General Body meeting that's held annually together with the PLA annual convention.

Since its inception, it had made considerable contributions to promoting the purpose of librarianship in Pakistan. The affiliation publishes a quarterly journal and Bimonthly NEWSLETTER frequently. The association performs a sturdy role in library international, it started out income-generating sports such as the establishment of the Five laptop center and is once more a member of IFLA. The association has evolved software for Library automation in Pakistan each English and Urdu model called LIBRARY AUTOMATION AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME(LAMP) and CD ROM databases on SENET a few translated into Urdu and bought all over the international. The LAMP software is used in more than 70 libraries in Pakistan and approximately 67 libraries around the world. More than four hundred Librarians were skilled in this bundle, and the association is responsible for its services and upgradation.

• PLA AND LIBRARY AUTOMATION EXPERIENCE IN PAKISTAN
• PLA has completed the subsequent task in this package deal in Pakistan.
• Automation of Swiss development cooperative Library Islamabad.
• Library of sustainable Development coverage institute Islamabad.
• Library college of nursing Islamabad.
• Library Pakistan Institute of Medical sciences Islamabad.
• Library kids Hospital Islamabad.
• PIDE Library Islamabad.
• Library Pakistan Forest Institute Peshawar 55,000 books.
• Library National Assembly Islamabad 17000.
• Senate Library Islamabad 5000.
• Library NWFP Provincial Assembly 5000.
• Punjab Assembly Library 8000.
• Baluchistan Assembly Library 4500.
• Sindh Assembly Library 5000.

PAKISTAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION/ NETHERLAND LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT PROJECT PAKISTAN :

This task became initiated in Pakistan through Netherlands Government in 1975 as Netherland medical Literature Project SLP.This assignment centered especially on the series constructing of clinical libraries. In June 1991, the USA desk authorized phase ii of the undertaking. The scope of the mission became in addition widened to include all library development activities and also the operations at the countrywide level. The project call turned into trade from SLP to the Netherland Library Development Project. This assignment is the first of its type in Pakistan.

Keeping in view the requirement, the challenge gives technical and monetary help for:

• Developing human resources thru education
• Undertaking motion orientated Research
• Holding seminars and meetings
• Improving library series
• Formulating national policy and plans
• Introducing statistics Technology
• Publishing Newsletter and Journals
• Developing National Databases
• Establishing Information Network
• Establishing linkage with International Organizations

Achievements of NLDP :

• It has set up five pc centres in every provincial capital of Pakistan. In which greater than 400 librarians were skilled in CDS ISIS/LAMP.
• It has given Financial balance to Pakistan Library Association via numerous tasks.
• It has developed LAMP software with the cooperation of PLA for automation purposes.
• It has posted many books on Library Science and offer to major libraries of Pakistan.
• It has evolved the first bibliographic database on CD-ROM. That is an exquisite device studies and reference.
• It has delivered E.Mail technology in pakistan and offer this facility to all the PLA workplaces.

LIBRARY AUTOMATION AND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME:

Automation is important to make studies more effective, to disseminate statistics, and for development of union catalogs. There are about 4000 libraries in Pakistan There became no unified national bibliographic format for library machines. The task of developing software turned into launched via the Netherland Library Development undertaking in collaboration with Pakistan Library Association. , but the letter was accountable for advertising and the software program guide for LAMP. The development of LAMP became a great achievement of NLDP and PLA and could pass a long way in facilitating the purpose of library automation inside the U.S . I deeply respect the endeavors of using NLDP in the direction of library automation and improvement in Pakistan, and this credit score is going to Mr. Riaz Khan Project Director NLDP for efficaciously achieving the aims and goals set for the task in appreciate of library automation and improvement in Pakistan.

RECOMMENDATIONS :

To have a fine library surrounding the following factors have to be considered very critically:

• National Library and Information policy must be introduced.
• Library basis at Federal and Provincial degree be constituted.
• Library regulations need to be handed out and enacted.
• Library Education has to be improved and planned well.
• Ministry of Libraries at the Federal and Provincial level with suitable directorates need to be authorized.
• Networking, the Internet, and contemporary Information Technology be advanced.
• Union catalog and union database ought to be introduced.
• Professionals need to be taught through the persevering training program.

NGOs like NLDP, and Asia Foundation need to be recommended to work for the betterment of careers.

Service shape must be supplied to the library experts.

MOHAMMAD KHAN MARWAT IS A PRESIDENT OF THE PAKISTAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NWFP AND WORKS AS A LIBRARIAN/SUBJECT SPECIALIST IN LIBRARY SCIENCE AT GOVERNMENT HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL NO.1 PESHAWAR CANTT.

Article References :

1. Origin Archive