Reading matters: National Library Foundation proposed

ISLAMABAD: Steps have been prescribed to revive the age-old habit of book reading on a national level and compensate the under-valued profession of librarians.

The measures were discussed in a sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Education on Thursday which recommended establishing a National Library Foundation to promote library culture in the country.

The committee, which met with Senator Professor Ibrahim in the Parliament House, suggested that librarians be a given a timescale for their promotion instead of linking it to the number of books in the library and their designation be renamed as Library Teachers.

It was also suggested that the National Library Act-2010 be passed from the parliament.

Pakistan Library Association (PLA) representative Azim Khan Marwat  said most librarians retire from service without any promotion despite possessing Master degrees.

He pointed out that the Education Policy 1972-1980 Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Education Islamabad, clearly indicates that librarians be placed on similar salary packages as the teachers and lecturers of other educational institutions.

However, this has not been implemented yet.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2011.