Pakistan Journal of Information Management and Libraries

Satisfaction Level of Librarians Regarding Research Support Services

Sakhawat Ali — 2025-01-08

The key objective of this research was to compare the satisfaction levels of private and public university librarians (ULs) regarding research support services (RSSs). The study used judgmental and convenience sampling techniques to collect data from the respondents via a selfadministered questionnaire used offline/online. The questionnaire focused on four facets of RSSs. An independent t-test was applied for data analysis. The study outcomes illustrated that no significant difference existed between the librarians of private and public universities regarding the RSSs provided. The mean scores of the four RSSA factors confirmed that respondents were moderately satisfied with their RSSs. Moreover, in the majority of the cases, public ULs were slightly better than their counterparts in the private sector. The findings of this study might create healthy competition between the private and public ULs in Pakistan and abroad.

Digital Literacy Skills of University Librarians

Sundas Nisar — 2025-01-08

This paper aims to measure the digital literacy skills (DLSs) of university librarians (ULs) as the predictor of the enhanced digital reference services (DRSs) they provide. It also attempts to identify the best predictor of DLSs to improve DRSs in libraries. The study population comprised the ULs of Punjab, Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was developed to collect quantitative data from the study participants. The purposive sampling technique was used to collect data from 190 ULs. The findings highlighted that the level of UL’s DLSs to provide DRSs was high. The DLSs of ULs created 59.8% variability in providing DRSs. Furthermore, the beta coefficient value of the factor ‘information retrieval skill’ was identified as the best predictor of DRSs compared to other skills. The results concluded that DLSs are a prerequisite for offering vibrant DRSs. This research may help ULs to improve the deficient areas of their DLSs and provide advanced-level DRSs. The findings may also help ULs and policymakers design continuous development training programs to enhance the DLSs of librarians.

Bibliometric Analysis of Literature on Library Services in Pakistan

Md Nurul Islam — 2025-01-08

This study explores the bibliometric dynamics, publication trends, and scholarly landscape of library services research in Pakistan from 1991 to 2023. It aimed to assess the growth, collaboration, and impact trends in Pakistani library services research. 449 documents were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed using the bibliometric analysis tool Biblioshiny. Findings have revealed significant growth in research output, collaborative endeavors, and international recognition of Pakistani scholarship. However, a disparity between the publication output and citation uptake after 2011 was identified, signaling a potential research gap. The study highlights leading sources, highly cited papers, prominent institutions, prolific authors, and trending topics shaping the discourse in this field. The conclusion underscores the need for continued investment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and responsive research efforts to ensure the relevance, visibility, and sustainability of library services research in Pakistan. Implications include informing policy, guiding academic institutions, enhancing professional development, fostering global collaboration, and identifying future research directions to address critical issues facing library services in Pakistan.

Assessment of the Implementation of Sustainable Open Access Repositories in Nigerian Universities

Usman Ahmed Adam — 2025-01-08

The assessment was performed according to 57 indicators across the nine determinants identified in the model, including stakeholder engagement, community competence, content development, technology innovation, feedback systems, regulatory support, institutional cooperation, cultural inclusivity, and industrial partnerships. The population of the study comprised 117 staff working in IR units across 14 public universities in Nigeria. This study's findings reveal that none of the determinants influencing the implementation of Sustainable Institutional Repositories (IRs) have been fully realized. While six determinants have made significant progress, three remain at the initial implementation stage. Stakeholders indicate commendable performance in staff management for IRs, fostering teamwork, and strengthening internal relationships within the repository team. However, there is a noticeable absence of indices reflecting relationships between teams and scholars. Similarly, the findings reveal that universities lack partnerships with international journals/publishers and show minimal engagement with local peer reviewed journals for depositing publications into repositories. These universities have not yet established affiliations with other repositories or digital libraries for data harvesting, nor have they endorsed any open-access declaration to support repository practices. Nigeria should revive and establish new collaborations for resource sharing, expertise, and data harvesting, as well as create partnerships with local and international journal publishers for deposits into the repositories. Library schools should reform their curricula to reflect the current practice of scholarly communication and repository management. This research is the first to measure the implementation level of Institutional Repositories (IRs) in Nigeria using a novel assessment framework tailored to the African context, offering a comprehensive analysis of 57 indicators across nine determinants of IR sustainability. It highlights progress in internal management while identifying significant gaps in external collaborations. The research provides valuable insights into stakeholder engagement and presents actionable recommendations, including policy development, fostering partnerships, and updating educational curricula to enhance IR sustainability in Nigerian universities.

Assessing the Relationship between Digital Financial Literacy and Financial Well‐being

Muhammad Ali Sajid — 2025-01-08

The study explores the effect of Digital Financial Literacy (DFL) on Financial Well-Being (FWB) among young adults. It also investigates the moderating role of financial self-efficacy (FSE) between DFL and FWB. It is a quantitative study based on a questionnaire survey. Data was collected from digitally literate young adults aged 18-26 through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire has three constructs: DFL, FWB, and FSE. The sample size was determined according to itemized sampling criteria. The data was analyzed and the hypotheses were tested through SPSS and PLS-SEM (Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling). The findings showed that DFL and financial self-efficacy have a significant positive direct effect on financial well-being. The proposed moderating hypothesis was not accepted and indicates financial self-efficacy did not moderate the relationship between DFL and financial well-being. It noted that a greater FSE strengthens the positive relationship between DFL and FWB, on the other hand, a lower FSE may lessen the positive effect. Financial organizations, such as banks and fintech organizations, can organize seminars and campaigns to instruct young adults on the proper use of digital financial platforms. Enhancing young adults' DFL and FSE leads to increased financial independence, stability, and well-being to make wise financial decisions while reducing their financial stress. It offers novel insights into the relationship between young adults' financial well-being and their level of financial selfefficacy and DFL.

A need to re-imagine the LIS education for Ph.D. students in Pakistan

Waseem Afzal — 2025-01-08