Challenges of Preparing LIS Professionals for Leadership Roles in Pakistan

Library leadership is almost an unexplored area in library and information science (LIS) education. All eight library schools in Pakistan offer management courses to impart skills needed for managing libraries but there is little awareness regarding the importance of inducing leadership traits—as di...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of education for library and information science 2006-07, Vol.47 (3), p.200-217
Main Author: Ameen, Kanwal
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Academic libraries
Behavioral sciences
Communication skills
Definitions
Developing countries
Education
Educational leadership
Exact sciences and technology
Focus Groups
Ideology
Information and communication sciences
Information science
Information Science Education
Information science. Documentation
Labor Market
LDCs
Leaders
Leadership Effectiveness
Leadership Qualities
Leadership Styles
Leadership training
Librarians
Libraries
Library Administration
Library and information science. General aspects
Library Education
Library management
Library Networks
Library Schools
Personality Traits
Professional aspects
Professional associations
Researchers
Roles
Schools
Sciences and techniques of general use
Skills
Special Libraries
Studies
Teaching methods
Universities
Working conditions
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Summary:Library leadership is almost an unexplored area in library and information science (LIS) education. All eight library schools in Pakistan offer management courses to impart skills needed for managing libraries but there is little awareness regarding the importance of inducing leadership traits—as distinct from managerial skills—among LIS academia, researchers and practitioners. The paper explores different aspects of the issue with specific reference to Pakistan by using mixed methods. Data was obtained from professionals through a questionnaire, content-analysis, focus groups, discussions, and personal observation and experience. The paper identifies fundamental leadership attributes required for LIS professionals and their status among professionals in Pakistan. Barriers in the development of leadership traits among professionals are also identified. Findings suggest that the emerging social, professional and technological scenario in the country requires information professionals with leadership qualities, to foresee and create the future by timely planning and not become the victim of unforeseen changes.
ISSN:0748-5786
2328-2967
DOI:10.2307/40323830