Resource Sharing, Networking and Consortium
Challenges, Opportunities and Way Forward
There is not a single library exist in this world which fulfill all the requirements of their readers. Regardless of the budget, practically it’s not possible to meet every reader’s need. Specifically academic institutes, where libraries have to take care of their readers' needs as well as subjects studied in those institutes. In the world of information, libraries have not the potential to purchase all published books on all subjects. Due to limited budget and some other issues, libraries only focus on some important subjects that cover their needs. Still they do their best to fulfill the needs of readers and guide them in best way with limited resources.
For Overcome this issue, the best solution is “Resource Sharing” on “give and take rule” to give best facilities to their readers. Libraries have to share their some resources with others and vice versa. Formally Resource sharing is not in practice in developing countries like Pakistan. Some librarians informally access their resources using their own personal relationships and give to others to fulfill the needs of readers and vice versa. But Resource sharing is the need of time and best way to serve the society.
The inauguration ceremony was started with recitation. Mr. Nadeem Sohail (Chief Librarian FAST) recited the verses of Holy Quran. After this Dr. Muhammad Tariq gave the introduction of the seminar and highlighted the importance of this subject. Dr. Muhammad Shahid Surya (DG, HEC Punjab) was the guests of the inaugural ceremony. He congratulated Dr. Muhammad Tariq for his extraordinary effort on holding this seminar. He also assured them the corporation of the HEC on to further this relationship and to further improve the environment sector.
Syed Habib Jafri (Principal Librarian PASTIC) presented the PASTIC and reviewed the research and research services provided by the organization.
In this regard, the first lecturer was Abdul Wahid (former Chief Librarian, GCU Lahore) who shared the current efforts of Resource Sharing being done by different institutes, its importance and support and his own personal experience of this subject with the participants.
Dr. Khalid Mahmood (Chairman, Department of Information Management, PU Lahore) emphasized the need for a resource sharing between academic institutions and explain that in this era of technology, resource sharing is need of time to provide better services to readers. He further highlights the current efforts of Resource Sharing being done by different institutes.
Ashraf Sharif (Assistant Professor, Aga Khan University, Karachi) consortium to be the resource sharing in developed countries and the comparison of networks. Some are stated below:
- CARLI: Consortium of Academic And Research Libraries Of Illinois
- NEGS: Network of Education Online System
- OCLC: Online Computer Library Center
- AKULN: Agha Khan University Library Networks
Agra Khan University is an institution in Pakistan that has a consortium of its librarians and you can get and use all of the content from any library from its network.
Bushra Almas Jaswal (Chief Librarian, FCC Lahore) has explained the challenges involved in the consortium and networking and highlights some solutions to deal with them. She explained to the libraries that she considered herself is a biggest challenged person, so she needs to take practical steps in this regard.
Dr. Kanwal Amin (Professor, PU Lahore) has shared her research to be one on the same theme in her lecture to explain that often librarians are afraid to share their resource as; they lost their books, the other are not able to share the recycling in exchange for resources. Librarians face obstacles from some management of the organization. Some time they are facing budget problems etc. However, the importance and significance of this subject, in any case, cannot be denied, and all of them need to take practical steps.
Dr. Muhammad Tariq further emphasized the need for a full-fledged participation in all practical activities in this regard. And furthermore, he expressed the desire to set up a group, which will include all the members, present in the event and provide guidance to each other in any case. Most of the people present in the ceremony assured the share of their resources. Dr Muhammad Tariq offered to provide any kind of training to participants in this regard so that the libraries should be aware of every skill to deal with unusual situations.
Dr. Qaisar Abbas (Director, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus) appreciated the efforts of Dr. Muhammad Tariq and briefed participants about the services which are offered by the organization and thanked all the participants for participating in this seminar. He added that CUI Lahore Campus is always ready to share and collaborate with all libraries for the sake of quality enhancement.
Dr. Muhammad Akram Sheikh (DG PASTIC) welcomed Dr. Muhammad Tariq and his team of organizers of the COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus and congratulated them to hold a successful seminar. He thanked all the participants and further he ensured, PASTIC will organize guidance-related seminars and workshops full of knowledge.
All resource persons were honored with shields and all the participants were given certificates. The refrigeration was also arranged for all participants.
These type of seminars and workshops are required for sector development. It is also important for all people connected to this sector to become part of the practical steps to guide their colleagues as far as possible and their resources accessible to other people so that they can serve as a result of nation and society.
Pictures of the Event:
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| Dr Qaisar Abbas giving shield to DG PASTIC |
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| Dr. Ahmad Faroqui addressing the participants |
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| Dr. Qaisar receiving his shield from DG PASTIC |
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| Dr. Shahid Soroya (DH-PHEC) Dr Ahmad Farouqui (Director A&R) |
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| Dr. Shahid Soroya addressing in inagural session |
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| Group photo of the participants |
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| LtoR-Habib Jaffri, Dr Muhammad Tariq, Shahid Soroya, Fr Farouqui, Ashraf Shrif |
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| Ms Tooba receiving her shield from Director CUI Lahore |
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| Participants |
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| Participants |
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| Participants |
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| Sohail Riaz, Asif Bilal, Dr. Muhamamd Tariq, Shahid Soroya |
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| Sohail Riaz receivind his shield from Director CUI Lahore |
