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DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL LIBRARIES IN PAKISTAN

Dr. Kanwal Ameen

Assistant Professor
Department of Library & Information Science,
University of the Punjab, Lahore. Pakistan
kanwal.ameen@gmail.com
kanwal@dlis.pu.edu.pk
Ph. + 92-42-9231224

Muhammad Rafiq
PhD Student, Department of Library & Information Science,
University of the Punjab, Lahore. Pakistan
Manager Information Resource Center,
International Islamic University, Islamabad. Pakistan
rafiqlibrarian@yahoo.com
Ph. +92-321-7836131
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DEVELOPMENT OF DIGITAL LIBRARIES IN PAKISTAN

ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to discuss the development of digital libraries in Pakistan. It gives an account
of the digital transformation taking place in the country and reviews a few digital library
initiatives. It discusses a number of issues associated with the development of digital libraries
with specific reference to Pakistan. The major issues appear are as follows: Misconception
about digital libraries; Lack of technological applications; Lack of human resources with needed
skills; Copyright and Publishing; Cultural Divide; Digital Divide’ and Insufficient financial
support. The authors believe that understanding the underlying issues will not only accelerate
the development of DL in Pakistan, but also in other developing countries with more or less
common environment.

THE CONTEXT
Extensive discussions on the definition and scope of digital libraries (DL) have appeared in the
literature since 1990s. Both computer scientists and library professionals emphasize different
aspects of DL while defining this term or concept. Chowdhury and Chowdhury (2003) conclude,
after giving a brief evolution of the DL concept, that two different schools of thought, one
emphasizing the enabling technologies [computer scientists or engineers] and the other the
service aspect of digital libraries [library professional], may be noted in the literature. The third
dimension of DL is social which reflects users’ perceptions and expectations regarding service
aspects and it surely is important to consider those. Chen and Zhou (2005) state that DL is a
technology in which social impact matters as much as technological advancement. It is hard to
evaluate a new technology in the absence of real users … (p. 2).
In Pakistan, the phrases electronic library (EL), virtual library (VL) and DL have been in use
interchangeably. However, the term DL is getting common, though with different meanings for
different people. For this paper, it is considered that digital library (DL) is “a managed collection
of information, with associated services, where the information is stored in the digital formats
and accessible over a network” (Arms, 2000, p.2). As a matter of fact, DL culture is just at
beginning level in Pakistan. The creation of DL involves a number of technological, social,
usability, financial and legal issues. Accordingly, library professionals, academicians, higher
authorities and users in Pakistan are in confusion regarding their perception, creation, ownership,
content management, collection management, usability, access, copyright issues, needed skills,
infrastructure and so forth. Furthermore, there are only a few local studies available on the
development of IT and digital library scenario in the country e.g., Ramzan (2004) reported the
extent of hardware, software, their utilisation levels, and degree of changes that have occurred in
the use of IT in Pakistani libraries. He reveals that hardware and software were available in
majority of libraries and majority of librarians used computers in their daily works. However,
lack of computer literacy among librarians; improper planning; non-availability of standard
library software; lack of standardization and quality control; librarians’ absence in decision
making, and bureaucratic attitude of the management are major problems preventing the wider
use of computers in libraries. This chapter makes a brief review of the current status of the digital
culture. Before discussing these issues, it seems appropriate to have a brief look at the present
scenario of IT developments and library setup in the country.
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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

Several indicators reveal that Pakistan is witnessing digital transformation. A most recent study
by Shafique and Mahmood (2008) reveals that “An information society is emerging at a very fast
pace in Pakistan” (p. 76). It states that the information society applications such as e- learning,
computer supported political participation, e-government initiatives, telemedicine, information
and communication technologies (ICTs), cellular phones, satellite dishes, the Internet, etc.
indicate a prominent growth.

Pakistan’s ICT infrastructure seen a significant expansion in recent years (Digital Review of Asia
Pacific, 2006). Internet has become an essential tool for scholarly and business communication
in Pakistan. The use of broadband services has started to grow in homes and offices located in
major cities. This trend is expected to accelerate. Efforts to network the country continue, and so
far over 1,898 towns and cities have been plugged into the Internet backbone (Shafique and
Mahmood, 2008). The demand for digitized contents is ever increasing worldwide and the same
phenomenon is emerging in Pakistan.

LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTERS IN PAKISTAN

Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive and current directory available to quote the latest
number of libraries/information resource centers in Pakistan. However, an overview is given in
the following:
National Library of Pakistan (NLP)
NLP is responsible for publishing the National Bibliography, to serve as depository library for
Pakistani and Asian Development Bank publications, and to work as an ISBN issuing agency. It
also exchanges government documents with USA, SAARC, and works with other national
libraries around the world (National Library of Pakistan, 2008) . Currently, NLP maintains a
bibliographic database of English and Urdu collections. There are no plans for developing a
digital library so far. The library website, however, has been maintained which offer web OPAC
(http://www.nlp.gov.pk/).
Academic Libraries
The academic sector constitutes the major group of libraries in the country. These may be
divided into three groups:

i) School libraries: None of the published directories included information about school libraries.
However, it is assumed that almost 80% schools are without any library facility, specifically
government schools. Haider (2002) mentioned, “School library is yet to be recognized as a
component of the school curriculum” and a vast majority of schools “do not possess any sort of
book collection”. Under the given circumstances, one can hardly think of the development of
digital libraries in schools, specifically in public sector.

ii) College libraries: There are 700 college libraries in the country (Zaheer, 2002) and this
makes them the largest group of academic libraries. These libraries face enormous problems
such as poor services, out-dated collections, financial constraints, and inadequate and
demotivated professional staff.
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iii) University libraries: According to the Higher Education Commission (2008a), there are 122
Universities and Degree Awarding Institutions in the country. University libraries comparatively
are in a better position regarding collections and staff. However, the top professional positions in
these libraries are either vacant or filled on a temporary basis. University libraries also face a
number of problems such as procurement of latest information sources, equipment, viable
financial resources, unequal access to information technology, electronic media (Haider, 2004;
Ameen & Haider, 2007). However, the establishment of HEC-National Digital Library (HEC-
NDL), a Higher Education Commission (HEC) project, in 2004 is a milestone in the
development of digital libraries in the country. It is providing access to thousands of digital
resources while bringing new challenges and opportunities for library professionals.
Following the definition of DL adopted for this study, we may classify such initiatives in
following two types of digital library models practiced in university libraries of the country:
i) Libraries digitize their own resources and make them available online through their web pages.
ii) Libraries offer access to subscribed/free digital information resources of other e-publishers by
providing links through libraries’ web pages.
Most of the university libraries follow 2nd model and major accessible resources are from HEC–
National Digital Library (e.g. Government College University, 2008; Lahore University of
Management Sciences, 2008). Besides facilitating access to HEC digital libraries, university
libraries have also developed their own websites with links to free web resources and use VL/DL
phrase for them. However university libraries are also preparing to follow the first model. A
number of digitization initiatives have been taking place in university libraries. Arif, Rehman, &
Rafiq (2006) reports, “Multimedia and Microfilming Section of the central Library of the
University of the Punjab is currently involved in digitization activities and offers scanning
services of rare reading material as well as providing scanned images on CD-ROMs to
researchers. The service is available on demand basis. Digitization is the major activity of the
section but, online access is not still available to these indigenous digitized resources”. The co-
author also is personally involved in International Islamic University (IIU) Library’s Electronic
Theses & Dissertation (ETD) Project. The ultimate objective of the ETD project is to digitize and
provide online access to theses and dissertations submitted by IIU students.

Public Libraries
There are 500 public libraries in Pakistan (Zaheer, 2002). The big cities do possess the library
facilities, but the 80% people living in rural areas have no access to this facility (Mahmood,
1998). Public libraries are maintained by local bodies and face different problems e.g.
inadequate financial, human, and information resources; poor service structure; ill-kept library
buildings, etc. (Haider, 1998; 2001). Digital Library is still a dream for public libraries of
Pakistan.

DL INITIATIVES IN PAKISTAN
United Nations Digital Library (UNDL) (http://library.un.org.pk/gsdl/cgi-bin/library.exe, 2002)
UNDL in Pakistan is the first of its kind. This is an online repository of the full-text digital
documents of the various United Nations Agencies, Programmes and Funds active in Pakistan.
The collection comprises the general documents, reports, publications, newsletters, press releases
and other public information items. This repository is a centralized information resource of the
United Nations information on or about Pakistan (UNO, 2008). It offers efficient browsing and
searching facility and easy, equal access to the required information with an online full-text
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display of the document. For the United Nations System and Agencies in Pakistan, this facility
provides a centralized opportunity to showcase, share and preserve their digital documents as
well as disseminate them in much faster, easier, more varied ways, to a wider range of audience.
United Nations Digital Library is using Greenstone Digital Library Software to manage its
resources. (http://www.un.org.pk/library/)

HEC-National Digital Library (HEC-NDL) (www.digitallibrary.edu.pk, 2004)

There is visible and commendable development of DLs in the field of higher education. HEC-
National Digital Library, a project of Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan, is a unique
project providing access to full-text digital databases to users of public and private universities
and non-profit research and development organizations throughout Pakistan. It was initially
introduced as a collaborative project of the UK based International Network for the Availability
of Scientific Publications (INASP), in connection with the implementation of their Programme
for the Enhancement of Research Information (PERI). Implementation of the PERI programme
in Pakistan allowed the HEC to provide a vast quantity of scholarly publications to the
researchers. Inclusion in the programme enables the participating institution to access over
23,000 high quality, peer-reviewed journals, databases and articles across a wide range of
disciplines based on electronic (online) delivery. A recent addition is the inclusion of 45000
ebooks in the resources i.e. Ebrary, McGraw Hill Collections, Oxford University Press eBooks
(HEC-National Digital Library, 2008). Amina (2006, p.7) states that the budget allocation for the
HEC-NDL programme has doubled each financial year and the total amount for 2005/6 is Pak
Rs. 200,000,000 (approximately US$ 3,278,688).

The HEC has also explored the provision of free online books. In order to assess the performance
of educational institutions participating in the programme, usage statistics in term of the number
of articles downloaded have been collected for the year 2005. There has been a significant and
definitive increase in the total number of full-text articles downloaded over the previous year.
Overall usage has been exemplary, whereby a total of 666,986 full-texts downloads from public
sector universities have been recorded, with about 350,000 downloads from the participating
private universities and local research institutions. The usage statistics compiled for the year
2005 signify that the cost per article for our Digital Library calculates to less than $2.30 per
article, which is borne by the HEC (Amina, 2006, p. 20).

Pakistan Research Repository (http://www.eprints.hec.gov.pk/, 2006)

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan initiated a project Pakistan Research
Repository (PRR) in 2006. The project can be designated a showcase of intellectual output of
Pakistani higher education institutions. The initial drive for development of content in the
repository has been an initiative to digitize and make freely available online every PhD and
M.Phil thesis published in Pakistani universities. The basic objective of the project is to promote
the international visibility of research originating out of institutes of higher education in
Pakistan.
The repository has already made 1600 Ph.D. theses available in full text, whilst 300 theses have
been digitized and are in the process of being uploaded. An additional 500 Ph.D. theses are in the
process of digitization. HEC has introduced a systematic mechanism for the collection and
digitization of the remaining theses. Once completed, the repository will include all Ph.D. theses
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published by institutions in Pakistan which are estimated to be approximately 3200 PhD in

number (Higher Education Commission, 2008).
PRR offers various methods of searching and browsing by institution, department, subject area,
author and full-text of documents. Arrangements in this manner ultimately allow users of the
repository to view the aggregated research output of whole institutions, departments within
institutions, or of individual scientists themselves. This repository is running on GNU EPrints
2.3.13.1; open source software, to manage and make accessible its digital information resources
on the web.
PRR is an excellent research aid for researchers as well as libraries. This project opened up new
academic avenues by providing electronic access to indigenous academic research. PRR is one of
a few sources that can provide access to indigenous research of Pakistan. Academic Libraries
may consider PRR a benchmark to initiate institutional repositories in their parent organizations.

Allama Iqbal Urdu Cyber Library (http://www.iqbalcyberlibrary.net/, 2007)

Allama Iqbal Urdu Cyber Library, a project of Iqbal Academy, Pakistan, is the first digital
library of books in the Urdu language. The Academy is a statutory body of the Government of
Pakistan and a center of excellence for Iqbal Studies. The aims and objectives of the Academy
are to promote and disseminate the study and understanding of the works and teachings of
Allama Iqbal (the late National poet). The library has books on Iqbal studies, Urdu classics,
literature, poetry and prose (Allama Iqbal Urdu Cyber Library Network, 2007). It has the goal of
publishing 500 electronic books by 2008. A quarterly CD-ROM of electronic books is also
published by the Academy.The library contents are available on
http://www.iqbalcyberlibrary.net/.

CHALLENGES AND ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH BUILDING DLS IN PAKISTAN

The issues associated with the building of DLs are intermingled, interdependent and overlapping
and include the following -
Concept/ Perception
All concerned quarters, from parent organizations or funding bodies to end users to academicians
to library professionals, lack certainty regarding the concept, construction prerequisites and
potentials of DLs. A recent study, (Hussain, 2006), reports that library professionals are confused
about the basic concept of digital libraries. Moreover, their advantages are over-glorified as
compared to the efforts and cost associated with their construction, be it digitization project of
the owned collection or subscription model. Moreover, the copyright issues are complex to
tackle in absence of proper and effective laws.
Technological
Efforts to connect the country through wires are on their way and remarkable expansion in ICT
infrastructure has made. Despite that existing library infrastructures are unable to support
digitization projects. Ramzan (2004) reported that, in Pakistan, only 21% libraries have digital
scanners and 5% respondents had OCR software for digitization in their libraries. Due to the
limited, unequal access to ICT facilities, non-availability of digitization hardware and software
and meager financial resources, only a few university libraries have been able to digitize a
limited number of selected documents. College libraries are still far way from building digital
collections or providing users with access to digital resources as mostly they do not posses
computers and internet access. The situation for public libraries is similar.
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Human Resources with Needed Skills

Digitizing documents needs library staff with certain knowledge and set of technological,
managerial skills. However, a vast majority of working professionals in Pakistani libraries lack
sufficient digital competency to make use of ICT applications (Ameen, 2005). This holds true
especially for the older generation (Rehman and Ahmad, 2007). As a matter of fact, librarians are
still struggling to automate their library catalogs, which is only possible where they, themselves,
possess sufficient IT literacy. The library schools also suffer from an incapacity to impart the
needed skills because of the shortage of the faculty members with this specialization (Mahmood,
2003). By and large, the academic enrichment lacks in this regard among both faculty and
working professionals.
Copyright and Publishing Issues
There is no agreement on publishing policy for digitized documents (Hussain, 2006). The
copyright issues of foreign publications in this regard are hard to handle for librarians. The
annual low production ratio of local publications adds to the issue of digital collection and
content management.
Cultural Divide
Digital information paradigm is still in it’s infancy in the country, therefore, users are not
conversant with seeking, accessing and retrieving needed information. Users consider online
digital resources unreliable due to the peculiar circumstances of the country, particularly the low
bandwidth and power supply. Senior users prefer to have print version rather than browsing
databases. Librarians also exhibit a fear of change and are not responsive to it at the desired
level. The usability of the existing services is low and rising gradually. Amina (2006) states,
“The provision of access to databases is, however, not enough. As mentioned above, a major
challenge has been spreading awareness of the resources acquired because they have been
introduced into an environment that is historically very limited in its understanding of digital
libraries. Librarians are traditional in their approach towards library management, given their
experience of operating out of hybrid libraries, and find the electronic world slightly
overwhelming” (p. 13).
Digital Divide
Despite the ICT friendly policies of the present government and generous funding for viable
projects contributing towards the growth of digital transformation, there still exists wide digital
divide within Pakistan--- between the big and the small cities, between the rich and the poor and
between the ICT literate and IT stressed users. Therefore, the existing digital free resources are
not fully used by various segments of the community. For example, still a number of faculty
members of Library & Information Science (LIS) schools either do not have their own personal
email accounts or they do not use them regularly. HEC is working on promoting digital culture
through training workshops for faculty members and librarians.
Financial Support
Developing a digital library project needs substantial financial resourcing and few libraries are
able to make a convincing and realistic plan to obtain such money besides getting funds for
traditional collection development. Librarians and higher administration have misconceptions
regarding the costs involved in the DL projects. B. Jaswal (Personal Communication, January
2007), the pioneer of both introducing library automation and developing DL in Pakistan using
Greenstone, stated in an interview with the principal author that “people (neither librarians nor
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administration) do not understand the prerequisites of creating a real DL, hence the project, if
any, more likely would suffer due to lack of needed staff and money”.

FUTURE OF DL IN PAKISTAN
The scarcity of needed human, financial and material resources is the major hindrance in the
development of digital libraries in Pakistan. The meager opportunities for continuing education
and professional development are available to learn the sophisticated skills needed to develop
DL. However, a few developments that have taken place in recent years are worth mentioning.
Department of Library & Information Science, University of the Punjab has incorporated an
optional course on “Digital Libraries” in PhD course work that was opted by the co-author in
2007. A few workshops on the use of Greenstone Digital Library Software have also been
conducted in last couple of years by Pakistan Library Automation Group (a private group of
professionals). The information professionals widely participated in these workshops.
Department of Library & Information Science, University of the Punjab, Lahore has also
arranged a workshop on Greenstone Digital Library Software for M.Phil/PhD students in 2007.
However, the participant opined that these kinds of workshops were just of introductory nature
and they need extensive learning to be able to develop DL (M. Rafiq, Personal Communication,
January 2008).

The attitude of Government of Pakistan to digital culture is encouraging as a significant number

of e-government initiatives have been taken place with supportive IT policies (Shafique and
Mahmood, 2008). Government is providing infrastructure and financial support for digital
initiatives in public sector organizations. However, specific funding for developing digital
libraries is hardly granted. HEC also offers grants for the development of university libraries. In
recent years these grants were mainly used for physical facilities and infrastructural development
instead of digital library developments.

It appears that digital era is on rise in Pakistan in all kinds of institutions including libraries.
Therefore, libraries need to plan to serve the users’ information needs through digital content
delivery. Despite the issues discussed above, the scope of taking initiatives to develop digital
libraries is encouraging in Pakistan. Libraries can meet the users’ ever growing information
needs by developing DL and providing remote access to communities with access to ICT. Digital
libraries can also enhance the status of LIS profession and library services. However the
sustainability of the DLs needs to be ensured with appropriate governmental and institutional
support and professional commitment.

CONCLUSION
The development of digital libraries in Pakistan is in the beginning and the use of available
online databases is still low. The digital culture needs to be developed in order to make the
utmost use of the emerging digital developments. The number of libraries working on building a
digital library is very limited, and is dominated by university libraries mainly.
It appears that a vast majority of libraries in Pakistan will be dealing with paper-based
collections in the foreseeable future. Mostly large university and public libraries will head
towards a hybrid culture gradually, and there are remote chances of turning into only digital
libraries. The building of digital libraries and digital culture are big challenges ahead for library
and information professionals: how will the implementation and usage of digital libraries
develop? What might their future be and how much will they cost? Would it be cost effective
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spending hundreds of million rupees on building DLs? These are questions whose answers are
still hazy.
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Definitions
Digital Library (DL):
“A managed collection of information, with associated services, where the information is stored
in the digital formats and accessible over a network” (Arms, 2000, p.2).