Exploration of ICT Applications in Public Sector University Libraries of Interior Sindh

Abstract

Public sector university libraries in interior Sindh are embracing Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for their technical and routine work. This study explored the current status of ICTs infrastructure, its application in different areas of library activities, library automation, digitization, and web-based services by employing the concurrent mixed methods approach. The quantitative (QUAN) data were collected from 141 central and seminar libraries of public sector universities in interior Sindh accredited by Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) using an adopted survey questionnaire. While, an in-depth interview of the heads of purposively selected 14 universities' central libraries were conducted for qualitative (QUAL) data. The findings revealed that the majority of libraries in interior Sindh were lacking in sufficient hardware and other ICT equipment; that most of the libraries didn’t have library automation and digital libraries’ softwares with no library website and access of HEC digital library resources. Based on the finding and the qualitative data from the respondents, it was suggested that different professional development training programs and workshops on library automation and digitization should arrange for the university library professionals in Interior Sindh arrange This study provides insightful findings for the policy makers to improve the current alarming status of the university libraries of Interior Sindh.

Keywords

• ict applications
• university libraries
• interior sindh
• mixed methods research