Increasing or decreasing reading trend: an overview of the current status of the public libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

Abstract

PurposeAs the human race moved from the Paleolithic to the current phases of the Neolithic period, the learning process developed from inscriptions on stones to clay tablets, from papyrus to papers and, ultimately, to digital technology. From ancient times to the present, public libraries have become open universities that are more democratic in the provision of educational and information services and the preservation of cultural heritage, regardless of gender and belief. This study attempts to understand reading trends and the use of citizens’ resources in public libraries in the age of technology as an open university.Design/methodology/approachThe data for this study on regular visitors, permanent library members, and information on the library inventory was collected from each public library administration through personal visits and interviews. In addition, data on regional population and literacy rates were collected from the Government of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Bureau of Statistics. The authors used descriptive statistics to analyze data for comparative studies.FindingsThe results show that daily visitors, regular library members and their use of library resources are decreasing compared to the literacy rate in each district. It was also concluded that, due to a lack of education and training in the area of information and digital literacy, the accessed database resources are not used properly. Moreover, each densely populated district relies on a single public library to meet general education and information needs.Practical implicationsThe results of this study will help the government expand the network of public libraries at the union council level with competent working staff to increase general motivation to improve reading and resource usage trends. Given the current literacy and population growth in each district, the law on the public library can also be amended and implemented to support the existing library system better and create more libraries in the public interest.Originality/valueThis study was conducted for the first time to determine the current state of public libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to help public library authorities improve their existing public library service status based on the results.

Determining the impact of technological modernization and management capabilities on user satisfaction and trust in library services

“…Administrative competence in deploying technology introducing innovation boosts users’ satisfaction in using library services. In addition to academic activities, in difficult situations (such as COVID-19), vigilant leadership formulates emergency measures to continue to provide users with uninterrupted academic services (Rafi et al , 2020a). Thus, the influence of qualified leadership revealed a significant effect on productivity and satisfaction with library services in the fourth hypothesis.…”

“…Pakistan's Higher Education Commission, established in 2002, has facilitated access to a range of databases for all public and private universities and subsequently to public libraries where the use of database resources is limited for quality education and research (Rafi et al, 2019a(Rafi et al, , 2019b. However, compared to universities, the utilization rate of these databases is extremely low in public libraries due to lack of digital literacy, defective technologies and infrastructure that need major reforms (Rafi et al, 2020a). In addition, it has been found that the deployment and use of the latest technology in the academic environment is very slow, and universities far away from big cities require direct government involvement to fill the gaps in increasing technology, use resources and improve the overall academic activity (Rafi et al, 2020a(Rafi et al, , 2020b(Rafi et al, , 2020c(Rafi et al, , 2020d.…”

“…However, compared to universities, the utilization rate of these databases is extremely low in public libraries due to lack of digital literacy, defective technologies and infrastructure that need major reforms (Rafi et al, 2020a). In addition, it has been found that the deployment and use of the latest technology in the academic environment is very slow, and universities far away from big cities require direct government involvement to fill the gaps in increasing technology, use resources and improve the overall academic activity (Rafi et al, 2020a(Rafi et al, , 2020b(Rafi et al, , 2020c(Rafi et al, , 2020d. Apart from technology and senior management reforms, this study details the challenges of technology use, modernizing leadership in meeting the technology dynamics and user confidence in library services.…”

Collection Development Policies and Practices: A Survey of Public Libraries in Punjab, Pakistan

“…It is further suggested in the study that librarians should keep themselves aware of the new published material as well as about the information resources that are still in pipe and their publication is expected in near future. (Rafi, Ahmad & Jian, 2021).…”

Unveiling the research pattern and trends in library service quality studies: A meta-narrative review

“…From the above discussion, it can be concluded that a research gap can be assessed from an angle of a dearth of studies conducted on public libraries as well as on health-care libraries. This may be the reason behind the deteriorating status of public libraries especially in maintaining the service quality (Baada et al, 2019;Rafi et al, 2020;Sin and Kim, 2008;Singh, 2012). Library services.…”