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Need for library legislation in Pakistan by Bushra Almas
1. Need for Library Legislation and National Policy on Libraries in Pakistan in 2010 Bushra Almas Jaswal Chief Librarian and Associate Professor , Forman Christian College University, Lahore
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21. Library Development in Plans rated on a 6-point scale 0=Nil 1=Very Low 2=Low 3=Medium 4=High 5=Very High
22. 1947 – 2010 – Sad end of a Success Story rated on a 6-point scale 0=Nil 1=Very Low 2=Low 3=Medium 4=High 5=Very High
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32. THANK YOU!! ANY QUESTIONS ????????? The library profession in Pakistan has reached a critical defining moment. It may adapt itself to the change and prosper and flourish. It may ignore the call for a change and further diminish.
Notes de l'éditeur
Six-Year National Plan of Educational Development for Pakistan - 1951 to 1957 –number of activities on the legislative structure for libraries, triggered by the Plan. 2. first move of the Government of Pakistan, towards recognizing the central role of libraries in national development 3. particularly in the Punjab, including: the Municipal Library, Vehari (1947), the Central Library, Bahawalpur (1948), Sindh Provincial Library, Hyderabad (1952), the Municipal Library, Dera Ghazi Khan (1952), the Municipal Library, Faisalabad (1953) and Iqbal Library, Jhelum (1954)
5yr - It is not an authorizing document in the sense that it does not authorize expenditure to the relevant operating agencies. Instead, it provides a broad framework for formulation of the planning process based on its recommendations. Prepared under the National Planning Board , - based on more formal planning T his plan could not be implemented, mainly because rapid changes in government and a lack of political support because the political instability in the country led to a neglect of economic policy . No Library Development in Plan:
This plan was hailed as a model that other developing countries could follow. Pakistan's success, however, partially depended on generous infusions of foreign aid , particularly from the United States . After the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War over Kashmir , the level of foreign assistance declined. More resources than had been intended also were diverted to defense.
These Laws were later adopted as local bodies ACTs and Ordinances in Bhutto Government
After the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War over Kashmir, the level of foreign assistance declined. Moreover, more resources than actually planned, had to be diverted to defence. As a result, the Third Five-Year Plan (1965-70), which was prepared by the Ayub Khan Government, could only produce a modest growth during the Yahya Khan period (1969 – 1971) . Actually the serious planning on national level was completely ignored during Yahya Khan Regime.
None of these recommendations could actually be implemented as the Plan was abandoned by Bhutto Government in 1971 but ppp govt took some far-reaching steps for libraries
The implementation of this Plan was adversely affected after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, due to increase in defense expenditures and a flood of Afghan refugees to Pakistan in December 1979. But, some of the plan's goals were attained
( Federal-300 million rupees , Provincial -155 million rupees , Punjab-80 million rupees, Sind - 25 million rupees, NWFP - 30 million rupees, Baluchistan-20 million rupees,
The Sixth Plan continued the approach of the previous plans and financial allocations were provided for a number of projects on an ad hoc basis. A number of museums, an art gallery, a library, a national archives building and sports stadium were planned. The emphasis, unfortunately, remained on brick and mortar aspects of development, while conceptual issues were not addressed adequately.
In June 2004, the Planning Commission gave a new name to the Five Year Plan – The Medium Term Development Framework (MTDF). Thirty two Working Groups on various areas of development produced the MTDF 2005-2010.
Peaks show 2nsd Plan in Ayub Govt., 4 th Plan in Bhutto Govt. and 5 th and Sixth Plans in Zia Govt. After that the decline of Library development started. Seventh and 8 th plans were better but never properly implemented. Ninth Plan was not even published and MTDF has no focus on traditional libraries and lacks the understanding about the vital role of Library Professionals while planning for a Knowledge Society
There seems to be a clear inability to recognize the new information formats on Internet and to relate the reading of electronic and digital books and articles with online library services consider reading online as decline of reading habits.
System of Libraries in Pakistan has emerged in bits and pieces spread over 63 years. The constitutional provisions for establishing libraries translated differently by various Governments at various times.
The Case for Reading “ An important instrument for enriching one’s cultural roots is books, and the libraries in which they are kept. Book reading also contributes to the flourishing of a civilized society through engagement in social and political activities as well as the arts. One of the ironies of the present information revolution is the decline of the reading habit among the 15 – 30 age group, even as higher education expands. This decline may be linked to the growth of electronic communication and media as well as a cultural and ‘information’ climate that does not accord books the respect they deserve . The ‘electronic’ article and even the book, on the other hand, keeps on filling computer memory discs, where its storage does not guarantee its reading in full….. All this has a particularly severe impact on the quality of education, …..The reading habit must be encouraged from the early age, and we need to expand the public libraries for children and parents right down to the tehsil administrative unit, in addition to establishing and expanding them inside every school. Pakistan must now ensure that not -for-profit public libraries (with special access for the handicapped) and reading rooms are an essential component of every one of its public or private housing projects.”
Amendment and nationwide expansion of existing The Library Legislation to match the Vision 2030