The current innovation status of university libraries in Pakistan

• Published in: Library management 2019-03, Vol.40 (3/4), p.178-190
• Main Authors: Awais, Sania, Ameen, Kanwal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic libraries; Colleges & universities; Competition; Competitive advantage; Higher education; Innovations; Public sector; Technological change
• ISSN: 0143-5124; 1758-7921
• DOI: 10.1108/LM-11-2017-0125

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the current status of innovations in the university libraries of Pakistan because desire for reshaping the university libraries is now the necessity for full filling the mission of higher education, i.e. to be competitive and compatible in international market. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative method is adopted for measuring the occurrence of innovations. The content is based on the literature, the researchers’ 20 years’ experience and the websites of all the 183 universities of Pakistan have been reviewed for this purpose. A checklist of 40 innovation used in ACRL libraries and prepared by a researcher, Jantz (2013) is used as a yard stick. Findings The findings indicate that a large majority (85%) of university libraries, have not adopted these innovations. Only 15 percent of university libraries all over Pakistan are relatively better on the innovation adoption scale. Originality/value The aspects discussed in the context of Pakistan may catch the attentions for improvement of university libraries, and growth of respective professional. It is assumed that the situation is similar to other type of libraries (college and public) and also in neighboring developing countries. So, the work will raise the awareness among professionals of other countries as well.