Library resources in Pakistan: Progress, problems, and achievements

Authors

  • Anis Khurshid University of Karachi

Abstract

Updates the author’s earlier surveys and offers historical comparisons. Considers all types of libraries in each province or region. At present there are 6,034 libraries in the country, holding 13,354,500 volumes. The most satisfying development has been in university libraries, which now provide 44 books per student. In the city of Punjab are found the largest of the nation’s public libraries and the largest university library. A landmark activity of recent years has been the distribution of 4,373 “box libraries” to the villages. School libraries have been grossly neglected, and the author notes this as a major problem to be dealt with by government and the library profession. There is also need for a mechanism to clarify and update library statistics. Coordinated, cooperative collection development is called for to avoid a decline in library progress.

Author Biography

Anis Khurshid, University of Karachi

Professor of Library Science at the University of Karachi, and one of Pakistan’s most prolific scholars. He has a postgraduate degree in library science from Karachi University, a Master’s degree from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. His numerous monographs and articles have dealt with cataloging, reading, library education, and library resources. Dr. Khurshid’s international activities have included UNESCO projects and the chairmanship of IFLA’s South Asia Committee.

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Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (1990)

Section

Articles

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