Role of PLA in the Development of Library Profession in Pakistan

by Muhammad Jawwad Lecturer Department of Library and Information Sciences Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad-Pakistan

Pakistan: a brief introduction

• The Islamic republic of Pakistan

• Emerged as an independent sovereign state on 14th August 1947, as a result of the division of former British India.

• It lies   between 23-35 to 37- 05 north latitude and 60-50 to 77- 50 east longitude touching the Hindukush Mountains in the north and extending from the Pamirs to the Arabian Sea.

• Pakistan covers 796,095 sq.km with a population of 132.35 million according to population census 1998.

• It is divided into four provinces: • Punjab,• Sindh,     • North West Frontier Province   • Balochistan.

Major Library Associations and Listserv/Mailing Groups in Pakistan

• Pakistan Library Association (PLA) – 1957 [only national representative body]• Pakistan Bibliographical Working Group (PBWG) – 1950• Karachi University Library Association (KULSAA) – 1957• Sind Council of School and College Librarians – 1959• Society for the Promotion and Improvement of Libraries (SPIL) – 1960• Punjab College Library Association (PCLA) – 1970• Punjab University Librarians Organization (PULO) – 1975• Punjab University Library Science Alumni Association (PULSAA) – 1988• Pakistan Library Automation Group (PakLAG) – 2000• Librarian Welfare Group – 2005• Pakistan Library Cooperation Group (Libcoop) - 2004

PLA: an introduction

Vision Statement:

The educational, cultural, and economic conditions of the country will be advanced through greater use of libraries.

Mission Statement:

To provide leadership and to serve as a collective voice and advocate for advancement of libraries of the Country, to educate the library community and users about contemporary library services, issues and technology, to provide members with a network for interaction on professional and social levels, and to promote the profession of librarianship and participation of libraries in regional, national and global library arenas.

Aims and Objectives:

• Help to establish a comprehensive information service • Provide technical advice and assistance • Improve the existing library services in Pakistan • Conduct research in the field of library science • Improve the status and professional standing of librarians • Improve access to information through information technology

PLA: an introduction

• At present it has more than 1200 members.• The head quarters of the association keeps changing and

rotating from one province to the other after two years.• PLA has five branch councils, one at each provincial capital:• Punjab• Sindh• NWFP• Balochistan• And one at federal chapter in Islamabad• Constitutional changes are considered in the General Body

meeting which is held annually in conjunction with the PLA annual conference.

PLA: an introduction

PLA: an introduction

• At present it has Executive Council Headquarter at Balochistan.

http://pla.org.pk

PLA: Publications

Objectives and Research Methodology of this study

Objectives:

• What is a National Library Association for?

• To What extent PLA has played its role in the promotion of librarianship in Pakistan?

Research Methodology:

• Analyzed the local literature, published and un-published, from 1957 to the present on the subject.

• Data collected through personal engagement and discussions with present and former office bearers and members of the PLA.

• A checklist of the desired functions was developed after review of international literature and analyzed the output of PLA against each item.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Researchers carefully reviewed the available possible literature and extracted the thematic period distribution:

• Early Period (1957-1977)• Classical Period (1978-1998)• Gloomy Period (1999-2006)• Revival Period (2007- onward)

• Developed activity based checklist (as shown in Table-1: Activities Checklist ) this all is as accordance to activities that a national representative body should perform for its prestige.

Table – Activities Checklist

S. No. Activity 1957-77 1978-98 1999-2006 2007 -

1. Research work initiated/conducted

0 0 0 0

2. Conferences/Seminars organized 12 26 2 2

3. Workshops/Trainings organized 10 26 2 5

4. Publications 10 16 0 2

5. Professional meetings organized 12 30 0 5

6. Codes of ethics & standards 2 3 0 0

7. Library legislation 1 1 0 0

8. Library education 0 1 0 0

9. Membership 1 5 0 3

10. Image Building activities 0 0 0 0

11. Scholarships 5 0 0 2

12. Miscellaneous activities 1 5 0 7

Column Graph Representation

Conclusion

Librarianship is a profession like other professions. PLA is only a representative national body in Pakistan.Since its establishment PLA did a lot at different stages.

But gradually it is observed that set tempo was turned down and a slumbering situation arrived. It is encourages one that existing library schools infused and infusing young blood in the profession through their graduates. These graduates are the great asset for profession and acting very positively their role in the uplift of PLA throughout the country.

Recently the credit to revive the PLA after a long gap is totally goes to them

Some Recommendations

• PLA’s headquarter should not rotate and be stationed in capital (Islamabad).• Membership activities should be stimulated.• Existing e-mail groups, local, regional professional associations should

encourage cooperation between themselves.• Present office bearers must do a lot of lobbying to get library legislation

formulated/enacted.• Professional literature is a major measure of professionalism this ensure

intellectual development in the field it should be given priority. • The code of ethics and standards are important traits, efforts to develop them

should be made.• An independent body should be constituted for smooth publication of PLA

Journal.

Thanks