Purpose

This study aims to examine the status, explores the hurdles and identifies the prospects for developing a union catalogue of university libraries in Lahore, Pakistan.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a quantitative research approach, a questionnaire was developed from literature and authors’ experience. After ensuring its validity and reliability, data were collected from librarians after the census. A total of 105 librarians were approached, of whom 73 (71%) responded to the survey.

Findings

University libraries in Lahore are well organized, have adequate collections and information technology-literate staff, are well automated, have good internet connections, are equipped with integrated software, follow cataloguing rules and MARC standards; however, the absence of standardized software, lack of funds, absence of uniform policy, professional workload and absence of standardized vocabulary are significant challenges. Private-sector librarians reported facing more challenges. Librarians consider all prospects vital for developing a union catalogue. These prospects include the availability of relevant information, incentives to librarians, coordination with librarians, a realization that sharing is caring, the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan taking initiative and librarians’ training.

Research limitations/implications

University librarians in Lahore are ready to cooperate with the development of a union catalogue; however, they seek support from higher authorities, professional library associations and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first of its kind that examines the status, explores the hurdles and identifies the prospects for developing a union catalogue of university libraries in Lahore. It would lead to the development of a union catalogue of university libraries in Pakistan.

中文翻译：

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制定巴基斯坦大学图书馆联合目录：现状、问题和前景

目的

本研究旨在审视巴基斯坦拉合尔大学图书馆联合目录的现状、探讨障碍并确定前景。

设计/方法论/途径

采用定量研究方法，根据文献和作者的经验制定了调查问卷。在确保其有效性和可靠性后，数据是在普查后从图书馆员那里收集的。总共联系了 105 名图书馆员，其中 73 名（71%）回应了调查。

发现

拉合尔的大学图书馆组织良好，拥有充足的馆藏和具有信息技术知识的工作人员，自动化程度高，具有良好的互联网连接，配备集成软件，遵循编目规则和 MARC 标准；然而，缺乏标准化软件、缺乏资金、缺乏统一政策、专业工作量和缺乏标准化词汇是重大挑战。私营部门图书馆员报告面临更多挑战。图书馆员认为所有前景对于开发联合目录都至关重要。这些前景包括相关信息的可用性、对图书馆员的激励、与图书馆员的协调、共享即关怀的认识、巴基斯坦高等教育委员会的主动行动以及图书馆员的培训。

研究局限性/影响

拉合尔的大学图书馆员准备合作开发联合目录；然而，他们寻求上级当局、专业图书馆协会和巴基斯坦高等教育委员会的支持。

原创性/价值

据作者所知，这项研究是同类研究中的第一项，它考察了拉合尔大学图书馆联合目录的现状、探讨了障碍并确定了发展前景。它将导致巴基斯坦大学图书馆联合目录的开发。