Abstract :
Knowledge is the primary resource for a vibrant society. Efficient
utilization of existing knowledge can create comprehensive wealth of the
country to improve the quality of individual’s life. Ability to create and
maintain the knowledge infrastructure, and develop knowledge workers to
enhance their productivity through creation, growth and exploitation of
new knowledge, are the key factors in deciding the prosperity of a society
or nation.
In this regard, library and information resource centers in institutions
of higher learning play an imperative role in facilitating creation and
dissemination of new knowledge. Owning today’s high-tech learning
environment in respect of resources and their utilization, research
services, digital scholarship, users’ need assessment, content provider
mergers, evidence of learning, new frameworks for information literacy,
bibliometrics, scientometrics, webometrics, and open educational sources
puts high emphasis on the role of Library and Information Science (LIS)
professionals, academicians and researchers to investigate these areas
and addresses the challenges effectively. Research in librarianship is a
core aspect of library education worldwide. Consequently, it is the core
responsibility of LIS academicians and practitioners to investigate the
cause and effect of the phenomenon to come out with possible solutions.
By implication, the advancement of any discipline is dependent upon the
strengths, types, and outcomes of research carried out and how these
findings are judiciously put to use.
Keeping in view the aforementioned challenges, an attempt has been
made to provide a platform where LIS educationists, practitioners and
researchers around the globe in general and particularly in Pakistan may
publish their investigated challenges with best possible solution. The
launching of a new peer-reviewed research journal namely ‘International
Journal of Librarianship and Information Science (IJoLIS)’ is an
outstanding initiative by the Department of Library and Information
Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan. The IJoLIS
aims to (a) introduce best practices in modern librarianship to improve the
current status, process, services and practices of library and information
centers, and (b) optimize resource utilization and deliver high quality and
value-added research to end users. We are delighted to announce that the
first issue of IJoLIS has been published, covering all five research articles
from abroad. We warmly congratulate authors, and are extremely thankful
to our international and local reviewers for their expert reviews, time and
contribution. Their input was a pre-requisite in publishing this journal.
Keyword :
Information Resource Center; Libraries,