Decay of library institution is
the most regrettable phenomenon of the modern age. Dawn of corporate
civilization, advent of modern technology, diversified means of information and
luxuriated life style have restricted the use of libraries. No doubt, libraries
have been playing a central role in the intellectual advancement and human
development for many centuries. However, their monopoly over the cosmos of
knowledge is crippling day by day. Digital technology, that has precipitated a
variety of alternative sources of information, is frequently referred as the
major factor which has challenged the authority of libraries. The underlying
idea is to examine the issue in all the necessary dimensions in order to be able
to suggest a viable course for the future to consolidate and accelerate the
usage of libraries.
For the better understanding of the declining usage of libraries, it will be
pertinent to have a glimpse over the utility of libraries.
First, libraries provide necessary and articulated information about various
disciplines of life. From the very invention of alphabets to the advent of
information technology, libraries remained the custodian of knowledge. People
ranging from monarchs to saints, from scholars to amateurs have been relying
upon libraries to quench their thirst of knowledge. In early days, kings
patronized libraries and had their personal libraries as it was considered a
symbol of prestige and distinction. The scientists and scholars also maintained
their personal libraries. Tradition of library usage to this extreme level
speaks volumes for the magnificence and grandeur of that era. This was, of
course, the beginning of intellectual revolution that was the most spectacular
triumph of human history in this universe.
The sudden rise of Greek civilization is the most monumental chapter of human
history. Their achievements in art and literature are familiar but their
intellectual accomplishments are even more exceptional. The hidden truth behind
their glory was their passion for preserving and sharing knowledge and research.
Of course, libraries provided the medium for this sharing and preservation.
After Greeks, the Romans came to the stage and an overlapping rise and fall of
different started and is going on so far. Not to speak, knowledge sharing and
preservation has always remained as important as it was at any time.
Second, research and education are the activities that direct the course of
history even today. Without reservation, libraries were the research
laboratories and educational institutions in early times. Separation between
them took place much later. Research and education accelerated the rise of
science and eventually led to the emergence of scientific civilization which
reshaped the world into the global village. Although, civilization institutions
were eroded by the evolution of time, yet libraries kept themselves alive.
However, they lost their vigor and vitality in the later half of the twentieth
century.
Third, recreation is the part of human instinct. The perceptions and opinions
about entertainment may differ but the realization of the need of refreshment if
omnipresent. Evidently, the libraries are the main source of entertainment for
all type of people in one way or the other way. A variety of resources is
available for entertainment in libraries ranging from fiction to newspapers,
from magazines to books, relating to every aspect of life. Reading rooms and
separate cabins also enhance the usage of libraries by attracting the readers
towards halcyon and pacific environment. Moreover, issue and return facility
makes it possible for readers to borrow books for a particular period. On the
whole libraries are the main source of entertainment, however, now, their
authority has been challenged by the other competitors. Digital technology has
undermined the importance and usage of libraries in developing countries like
Pakistan. Invention of digital resources has led to the depletion of print
resources. Time saving, economic cost, portability, durability, quality and
variety are the factors that earn superiority for digital resources over
libraries. In a short span of time one can get what one needs. Cost always
remains a decisive factor in one’s preferences while choosing the information
resources. Libraries, generally, do not buy expensive material so readers turn
towards alternatives. Copying a digital resource is a matter of seconds.
However, it takes hours to copy a single soft copy of a book. Furthermore,
hardcopy is superior to soft copy with respect to quality. Other important
determinants are portability and sharing that demands no elaboration. The most
critical upshot of technological development is communication revolution.
Sharing information is no more a very long process. Information can travel
thousands of kilometers in seconds. A variety of extensive information is
available, pertaining to every walk of life, on World Wide Web. Consulting a
number of resources for a required information is no longer needed. Just typing
of key words of required information on internet brings one to the universe of
information. Now sky is the limit. To add, lack of research has further affected
the library usage. Generally, people use short cut ways to avoid research
activity. Resultantly, libraries remain in want of uses. The number of
researchers with respect to increasing population is not appreciateable and
presents an unhealthy trend. Education system is the basic impetus behind this
pessimistic and gloomy development. To some extent, librarians and teachers are
to blame for the declining usage of libraries. Librarians deal with all the
activities, processes and services of libraries. Teachers are concerned with the
training and teaching of students. It is the responsibility of librarians to
maintain a library in its essence. In Pakistan, readers do not know about
libraries and badly lack in orientation with libraries. Furthermore, lack of
skill and knowledge make the librarians passive. They remain imprisoned in their
offices and do not pay any heed to the maintenance and proper functioning of
libraries. Interestingly, a majority of libraries have no professional
librarians in Pakistan. In the absence of professional librarians, a genuine
functioning of libraries is not possible and one should not expect it in such
circumstances. Moreover, libraries lack in information technology, which is
necessary to cope with the alternative information resources. In this regard,
the government policies are liable, but, in many cases, where the facility of
information technology is available, there occurs competence lack to deal with
technology and using it in libraries in a way to make libraries to be able to
face the challenges of volatile scenario. The role of teachers to inculcate the
habits of library usage among students is not much efficient and productive.
Although, there is a trend among elite institutions to fix library hours for
students in which they are compelled to participate in the activity through
attendance and fine. However the situation is otherwise in government
institutions. The education system and the delivery of education are crucial in
this regard. In government institutions, the teachers do not think of it their
responsibility to develop the habit of library usage among students.
To cut the story short, teachers and librarians contribute, in general to the
declining usage of libraries. Obviously by removing structural weaknesses, that
ails library usage, we can arrest the decline of library usage and encourage
social, moral, intellectual and scientific development. In this way a
comprehensive and pragmatic approach is necessary besides government patronage
and suitable policy. More important is the professional engagement and
dedication of librarians and teachers. In the end, technological transformation
of libraries will surely do a lot.