SCHOOL LIBRARY SERVICES IN PAKISTAN: PRESENT SCENARIO

 

Hafiz Nazeer HussainM.Phil

University of the Punjab

WHAT IS A SCHOOL LIBRARY?

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction Goal of School Library School Libraries in Pakistan Importance of the School Library Structure of Library Functions of School Libraries Standards of School Libraries Administration of School Libraries in Pakistan National Education Policy for Future School Librarianship  Problems faced by School Libraries Suggestions Q&A

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:

The objective of this study is to undertake a review of current literature:

To identify the structure of libraries in elementary and secondary schools of Pakistan.

To portrait the library services provided to the students in schools.

To explore the problems faced by the school libraries. To highlight the professional status of the librarianship

in school libraries.

INTRODUCTION

A school library media center is a Learner-oriented laboratory Center and coordinating agency which supports, extends and individualizes

School's curriculumPedagogic goals of the school

SL media center comprisesBooks/MagazinesAll types of automated media

Distinguished from Public Libraries due to above traits

CONT…

Definition

School Library (SL). An organized collection placed

in a school for the use of teachers or pupils, but

usually for pupils. It may comprise books and

other materials, electronic resources and PCs, and

be in the care of a professional librarian, teacher,

or teacher-librarian. (Harrod’s Librarians’ Glossary)

Other parallel names for SL Instructional materials center Learning resources centre Media centre.

Media centre. Used for a school

library, or learning resources

centre in a school, where a range

of print and audio-visual media,

necessary equipment, and the

services of a media specialist, are

accessible to students and

teachers. (Harrod’s Librarians’ Glossary)

CONT…

GOAL OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES

The goal of the school library media

center is to ensure that all

members of the school community

have equitable access to books, to

information, and to information

technology.

SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN PAKISTAN

Public Sector No current statistics and need further

investigation.According to a Survey conducted in

1990s Out of 171,000 schools, only 481 schools

have libraries containing 980,800 volumes. About 80% schools are without any library

facility in the country. Still no updated data

CONT…

Grossly neglected No concept of libraries in primary and

middle schools. Only at secondary level

Schools having libraries keep their books in locked cases

No access to students

CONT…

Private SectorPrivate schools (urban) run by Different chain systems, Trusts, Companies

and Organizations More than 95% of these have moderate

school libraries Equipped with

Books & Magazines Audio Visual & IT Facilities (to some

extant)

CONT…

Private schools (sub-urban & Rural) run by

Individuals or by groups of people Adopted by lower middle class families Do not possess libraries.

IMPORTANCE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY

“SL is the soul, the core & the pivot around which academic life in the school revolves” (TREHAN, G. L. & MALHAN)

1. Educational Significance2. Psychological Needs3. Social Needs

1. EDUCATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

Curriculum development Essential tool in teaching program School Library a new atmosphere of

Learning Vision Intellect

Critical for student academic achievement Leading the way for technology use in

schools Inspire literacy

2. PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS

Cognitive Development Sensor motor Stage (from birth to 2 years old) Preoperational State (from 2 years old to 7

years old) Concrete operational stage (from 7 years old

to 10 years old) Formal Operational stage (from 11 years old

and up)(Intermediate Education by Punjab

Textbook Board)

Vocabulary & Language Development

3. SOCIAL NEEDS

Essential to develop reading habits Motivation Creativity Unfolding Personality To increase the clientele for public

libraries

STRUCTURE OF LIBRARY

Traditional SL Structure Scientific

Libraries

National Libraries

Public Agency Libraries

School Libraries

Public

Libraries

CONTEMPORARY

Scientific Libraries

National Libraries

Public Agen

cy Librar

ies

School

Libraries

Public

Libraries

Joint use libraries

• Digital Collectio

ns• Digital

Library Services

FUNCTIONS OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES (TREHAN, G. L. & MALHAN )

School Library

Service agency

Learning center

Teaching Agency

Coordinating Agency ***

Social Laboratory

ICT related services

STANDARDS OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Physical Standards

• Building location• Flexible Space• Accessible• Environment

Quantitative

• Staff• Materials• Funds

Qualitative

• Good Collection• Equipments• Services

ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOOL LIBRARIES IN PAKISTAN

Broader public administration system Federal Ministry of Education Body on library affairs National Library of Pakistan

No specific Role NLP in Policy-Making Institution regarding Libraries

Provincial Education Departments In Devolution Plan 2001, responsibility of

school education shifted to the District Governments

HIERARCHY OF LIBRARY ADMINISTRATION IN PAKISTAN (DR. M. RAMZAN)

NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY FOR FUTURE National Education Policy 1998-2010

to establish and strengthen one library in each school by the year 2010

To provide adequate funds, Construct buildings, Arrange library periods, etc.

to maximize the use

SCHOOL LIBRARIANSHIP IN PAKISTAN

SL don't matter without highly qualified library media specialists

Teacher /Librarian media specialists A teacher or clerk acts as library in

charge. Librarians are too less in numbers.

SCHOOL LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

International Association of School Librarianship (IASL)

Jamaica in August 1971

American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

Established in 1951 - division of ALA

Australian School Library Association (ASLA)

1960s

Indian School Library Association (ISLA)

Pakistan?

PROBLEMS FACED BY SCHOOL LIBRARIES

“The library is a “forgotten empire” which needs to be reconquered if our educational system has to be dynamic and

meaningful.”

No place in our Educational setup Not embedded in our teaching and learning

system. No Legislation No budget Space/Building Non-qualified staffs The last item on the school priority Not have access to the library

RECOMMENDATIONS Knowledge gap needs further research Association’s Role Library should be compulsory in schools Production of children literature in Local context

Socio-cultural Religious Informative recreational

Part of education planning Proper place/building Full time library media specialist School library subject in LIS education/Special courses Range library period Proper Budget Provision of Resources

For references and queries;

May be contacted with

hafiznazeerhussain@gmail.com