Contribution of Public Libraries towards Community Development and Knowledge Sharing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Abstract

Public libraries play a central role in promoting community development and exchange of knowledge especially in the urban centers like Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They offer free and fair access to a wide range of informational, educational and cultural resources that form the basis of lifelong learning, improvements in literacy, research and participation in civic affairs. The main questions of the current investigation include: (i) to investigate the role of the public libraries in the development of the community; (ii) to consider the possibility of the libraries in terms of sharing knowledge; and (iii) to define the obstacles that limit the efficiency of the library. Quantitative research design was utilized and 60 respondents were sampled and included in the study that included library users and staff who were sampled in the twin cities selected and sampled among libraries. Literacy promotion, community engagement, ICT infrastructure and knowledge exchange activities were some of the indicators interrogated in the structured questionnaire. Results show that the public libraries play an important role in the promotion of literacy, intellectual growth, and empowerment of the community. However, the shortcomings of ICT facilities, digital resources, and professional training that hinder the ability of the libraries to serve the community in the best way are also revealed in the study. The article highlights the importance of public libraries as learning centers, social inclusion agents and vehicles of dissemination of knowledge in urban areas of Pakistan. The authors suggest improvements of digital infrastructure, increase of financial assistance, introduction of employee training programs, and carrying out community-educational campaigns that helps to maximize the socio-educational advantages of the libraries. The results explain why the existence of public libraries is important in strengthening the educational, cultural, and social in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.