Research Proposal, Library Education, Public Library Services

1. TOPIC
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Submitted to;
Dr. Muhammad Mezbah-ul-Islam
Associate Professor,
Department of Information Science and Library Management
University of Dhaka
Submitted by;
Rajib Hossain Khan
Roll No. 38
4th Year 7th Semester,
Department of Information Science and Library Management,
University of Dhaka

2. PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEMS AND SERVICES IN BANGLADESH
A PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH
Submitted by
Rajib Hossain Khan
Department of Information Science and Library Management
University of Dhaka
Dhaka
Abstract
Mentions the importance of the topic, pointing out that the study will be the first of its kind
investigating problems and prospects of public library systems and services in Bangladesh in
depth. Emphasizes the characteristics of public library systems and services in Bangladesh.
Enumerates the research questions to be answered. Gives objectives of the study. Provides
operational definitions of the important terms. Describes research design for the proposed
study, involving survey approach, using a structured questionnaire and interview method.
Mentions that the structured questionnaire and interview method will be tested before being
finally used for gathering data. Points out that the population to be covered will consist of staff
and users of the central public library and divisional public libraries of Bangladesh. Structured
questionnaires will be handed over to the authority during the month of July for onward
distribution to the users of the public library. Mentions that one staff will be interviewed from
each public library, being chosen on the basis of sound sampling techniques. Stresses that both
descriptive and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) will be used for analysis of data.
Lists institutional resources for the study. Proposes detailed budget amounting to Rs. 10,000.
Gives anticipated results regarding use of sources of data. Gives time table for the project likely
to last for duration of five months.

3. Table of Contents
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Research Design
Analysis of Data
Institutional Resources
Budget
Anticipated Results
Limitations
Bibliography
Time Table

4. Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Public libraries are a great phenomenon through which people from all classes can learn
according to their own interests. Public library systems and services refer to the overall
management of the components of the public library and their functional output. In spite of
having some problems there are some good prospects of the public library systems and services
in Bangladesh.
Research Question
What are the objectives of public library?
Is the collection adequate?
Are the staffs skilled enough?
Is the infrastructure good?
Is the user getting proper services?
What are the problems?
What are the prospects?
Significance of the Problem
Bangladesh has a poor literacy rate. Most of the people still can not afford to go to school
because of their poor economic condition. Public library is a place where people from all classes
can learn freely. The public library systems and services can play a good role to educate the
people. This will be the first study of its kind to explore the problems and prospects of public
library systems and services in Bangladesh.
Objectives of the Study
1. To determine the problems of public library systems and services.
2. To explore the prospects of public library systems and services.
3. To propose a model for the public library systems and services.

5. Definition of Important Terms
Problems – It refer to the limitations of a service oriented institution. Here it means the
difficulties that are faced by the public library management to serve the society better.
Prospects – It refer to the future position of something. Here it means what could be the role of
public libraries in the society for the time to come.
Public Library – A collection of materials along with qualified staff that are responsible for
providing user oriented services regarding their need for information.
Systems – A group of interrelated, interdependent and interacting components working
together towards achieving a common goal. Here the components of public library system are
the collection, staff, infrastructure, etc.
Services – Facilities regarding the information resources. Here the public library services are
reading room services, current awareness services, etc.
Review of Related Literature
Rajib Hossain Khan studied four PhD theses on public libraries. He also studied an M Phil thesis
on the same topic. In addition he also reviewed several reports, articles and books about the
public library system in Bangladesh. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire
and interview regarding collection, manpower, budget, infrastructure, services, users attitude
towards public library, etc.
Research Design of the Study
The data will be gathered about problems and prospects of public library systems and services
in Bangladesh for finding out the answers of the research questions. Survey approach will be
adopted, using questioning method as a method of gathering data. Data will be gathered
through a structured questionnaire and interview. Questionnaire will be designed and tested
properly before using them to collect actual data.
The population to be covered will consist of staff and user of central and divisional public
libraries. The questionnaire will be handed over to the authority during the month of July for
onward distribution. One staff and two users each will be interviewed from all public libraries.
They will be chosen by sound sampling techniques.

6. Analysis of Data
The data will be analyzed using both descriptive and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
(SPSS).
Institutional Resources
Institutional resources in the form of computer facilities, library resources, will be available
within the institution.
Budget
Budget for the project is given here:
1. Books and journals Rs. 2,000
2. Stationary and postage Rs. 1,000
3. Travel Rs. 3,000
4. Printing Rs. 2,500
5. Photocopy Rs. 500
6. Miscellaneous Rs. 1,000
Total = Rs. 10,000
Anticipated Results
The public libraries of Bangladesh have not adequate and quality collection. The professionals
are not skilled enough to provide efficient library services. As most of the people in Bangladesh
live below the poverty line, so public library is a strong medium to educate them. Because the
public library is free for all and people can learn everything from here. This study proposed a
model for the public library systems and services in Bangladesh.
Limitations
The study will use structured questionnaire for gathering data which may not pin pointedly
understand by the staff and user of the public libraries. While interviewing the respondent,
they may tend to avoid some critical question which is a limitation of the study.

7. Bibliography
AZIZUL – HAKIM, Muhammad
History, problems and prospects of public libraries in Bangladesh. Dhaka, University of Dhaka,
1996.
NASIRUD – DIN, Muhammad
Automation in the public libraries of Bangladesh: a plan for development. Dhaka, University of
Dhaka, 2011.
SERWAR HOSSAIN
A doctoral thesis on national plans for library development in Bangladesh (1947-1983). Dhaka,
University of Dhaka, 1985.
SHARIFUL – ISLAM, Muhammad
Impact assessment of rural libraries in Bangladesh. Dhaka, University of Dhaka, 2010.
SULTANA BEGUM
Public library development in Bangladesh. Dhaka, University of Dhaka, 2003.
Time Table
Designing of the questionnaire 1 month
Distribution of questionnaire, 2 months
Conduct of interview
Analysis of data 1 month
Writing of the final report 1 month
Total Time = 5 months

8. PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF LIBRARY EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH
A PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH
Submitted by
Rajib Hossain Khan
Department of Information Science and Library Management
University of Dhaka
Dhaka
Abstract
Mentions the importance of the topic, pointing that the study will be the first of its kind
investigating the problems and prospects of library education in Bangladesh. Emphasizes the
present scenario of library education in Bangladesh. Enumerates the research questions to be
answered. Provides definitions of the important terms. Describes research design for the
proposed study, involving survey approach, using a questionnaire, observation and interview
method. Mentions that the questionnaire and interview method will be tested before being
finally used for gathering data. Points out that the population to be covered will consist of
faculty members and students of Information Science and Library Management department of
Dhaka University and Rajshahi University. Questionnaire will be handed over to the students of
the concerned department during the month of January. Mentions that three faculty members
will be interviewed from each university, being chosen on the basis of sound sampling
techniques. Stresses that both descriptive and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) will
be used for analysis of data. Lists institutional resources available for the study. Proposes
detailed budget amounting to Rs, 8,000. Gives anticipated results regarding use of sources of
information. Gives time table for the project likely to last for a duration of four months.

9. Table of Contents
Introduction
Review of Related Literature
Research Design
Analysis of Data
Institutional Resources
Budget
Anticipated Results
Limitations
Bibliography
Time Table

10. Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Library education is very important for managing the library properly. Libraries can play a good
role to disseminate the information which is necessary in the advancement of knowledge,
decision making, etc. Library is a managed collection of informational resources and the
services of staff regarding those resources. Education is the process of teaching the library staff
to meet the users demand successfully.
Research Questions
What are the objectives of library education?
Is the library education up to the international standard?
Is the syllabus timely updated?
Are the ICT resources used in the education process?
Are the students getting international scholarship?
Significance of the Problem
Information is the raw material of the present society. Library is the focal point for
disseminating this information. Without trained staff this could not be possible. Therefore
library education is essential for trained and skilled staff. This will be the first study of its kind
investigating the problems and prospects of library education in Bangladesh.
Objectives of the Study
1. To identify the problems of library education in Bangladesh.
2. To mention the prospects of library education.
3. To give some recommendations for the development of library education in Bangladesh.

11. Definition of Important Terms
Problems – The difficulties that have been faced in course of library education. In Bangladesh
the problems are lack of universities offering library education, minimum number of highly
educated faculties, etc.
Prospects – It refers to the future prediction which will bring some positive sight for a field. In
Bangladesh the prospects of library education are increasing use of ICT technologies,
international scholarship opportunities for the students, etc.
Library education – Library education means educating students to be qualified librarians or
information scientists through organized instruction and training.
Review of Related Literature
Rajib Hossain Khan observed the library education system in Dhaka University and Rajshahi
University. Ha has reviewed some articles in the national and international journals on the
allied areas. The data was collected using a questionnaire and interview regarding course
content, use of ICT’s, open educational resources, etc.
Research Design of the Study
The data will be gathered on the problems and prospects of library education in Bangladesh, for
answering the research questions. Survey approach will be adopted using questioning method
as a method of gathering data. Data will be gathered through a questionnaire and interview
method. Observation method will also be carried out to obtain deeper understanding about the
library education.
Questionnaire and interview will be designed and tested properly before using them to collect
actual data. The population to be covered will consist of faculty members and students of the
department of Information science and Library Management of Dhaka University and Rajshahi
University. The questionnaire will be handed over to the students of the concerned department
during the month of January. Three faculty members will be interviewed from both universities.
They will be chosen on the basis of sound sampling techniques.

12. Analysis of Data
The data will be analyzed using both descriptive and Statistical Package for Social Sciences
(SPSS).
Institutional Resources
Institutional resources in the form of computer facilities, library resources, will be available in
the institution.
Budget
Budget for the project is given here:
1. Books and journals Rs. 2,000
2. Stationary and postage Rs. 500
3. Travel Rs. 1,500
4. Printing Rs. 1,500
5. Photocopy Rs. 500
6. Miscellaneous Rs. 2,000
Total = Rs. 8,000
Anticipated Results
There are vey few universities in Bangladesh which provides higher education in Library and
Information Science. In fact there are only two, Dhaka University and Rajshahi University. As a
result there is a lack of qualified library professionals. In those two universities students are
taught theoretically rather practically. There are some meritorious teachers who are trying to
deploy ICT’s in the library education system. Students are now taking part into internship
programs in different libraries.
Limitations of the Study
The study will be confined to two public universities. There are some good private university in
the country but they does not offer higher studies in library education.

13. Bibliography
Ahmad. N. (1981) Education for librarianship in Bangladesh. International Library Review 13(1):
103-115.
Ahmed. S. U. (1990) The library association of Bangladesh: Achievements of the past. The
eastern Librarian 4(14-15):25-29.
Alam S. M. N. (1991) Public library system and mass library program of Bangladesh. The Eastern
Librarian 16(2) 16-28.
A. I. M. Jakaria Rahman, Momena Khatun, Dr. Muhammad Mezbah-ul-Islam. Library education
in Bangladesh: Strengths, problems, and Suggestions. Library Philosophy and Practice
2008(December)
Time Table
Designing of the questionnaire 1 month
Distribution of questionnaire, 1.5 months
Conduct of interview
Analysis of data 0.5 month
Writing of the final report 1 month
Total Time = 4 months