Information Literacy Skills of Librarians in Public Sector Universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Authors

  • Zakria PhD. Scholar, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur
  • Dr. Saeed Ullah Jan Chairman, DLISc. Khushal Khan Khattak University, Karak.
  • Prof. Dr. Robina Bhatti Chairperson, DLISc. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the Information Literacy (IL) Skills of the librarians of Public Sector Universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The Survey method was employed. Closed ended questionnaire was used as data collection tool. Questionnaires were distributed amongst the library professionals of 19 Public sector Universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through personal visits, email and social Media. Some major findings of this study are, the librarians of these universities are using printed materials for the recognition of needed information; most of the library professionals of these universities have no idea about the patent; a large number of librarians have less knowledge about the manual catalogue. In respect of evaluation of information, they do not contact the author. Furthermore, they do not have skills of sending information through Drop Box and digitization of information. They have familiarity with online databases, monographs/ textbooks, dictionaries and encyclopedias as sources of information; they have the ability to use various search engines; they check the authenticity of the information. The findings of the study also show that they have the skills to share the information through email.

It is recommended that; workshops and refresher courses must be organized for the enhancement of information literacy skills of the library professionals. The library associations like Pakistan Library Association (PLA), Pakistan Library Club (PLC), Pakistan Librarians Welfare Organization (PLWO), Peshawar Universities Campus Librarians Association (PUCLA) and schools of LIS in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should play their due role in the development of IL skills of library professionals. Focus should be given on the re- designing of curriculum of Library and Information Science schools at master level, so that librarians and information professionals could be prepared at entry level to deliver IL instruction.

Author Biographies

Zakria, PhD. Scholar, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

PhD. Scholar, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur

Dr. Saeed Ullah Jan, Chairman, DLISc. Khushal Khan Khattak University, Karak.

Chairman, DLISc. Khushal Khan Khattak University, Karak.

Prof. Dr. Robina Bhatti, Chairperson, DLISc. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur.

Chairperson, DLISc. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur.

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Published

2021-08-16

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Articles