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Declining Usage of Libraries

Conference Paper · January 2007

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Akbar Ali Mayo

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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 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.

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