By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
As the world celebrates the International Women Day on March 8, it’s time to reflect on the accomplishments of the leading women library scientists who have worked with missionary zeal in the development of the noble profession.
The woman library scientists deserve to be commended for having played a monumental role in the development and promotion of librarianship in Pakistan despite the odds being stacked against them.
Dr Muneera Nasreen Ansari, currently heading the department of Library and Information Science at the University of Karachi, has conducted her Phd on the information needs of the media personnel under the supervision of Dr Nisar Ahmad Zuberi, the ex chairman and professor of Mass Communication department.
Dr Rubina Bhatti happens to be another shining star as she is leading department of Library and Information Science at the Islamia University, Bahawalpur. She is credited to have created an environment of library research and publications.
Dr Rafia A Shaikh a well known senior professor, of Science, headed the department of Library and Information Science, at the Sndh University, Jamshoro, for several years.
She is the only lady library scientist to have reached the status of Vice Chancellor. She has been the Vice Chancellor of the Sindh University.
She is the only lady library scientist to have reached the status of Vice Chancellor. She has been the Vice Chancellor of the Sindh University.
She has been one of the pillars of the organizations like Library Promotion Bureau, Idara-e-Kitabiyat-e-Pakistan and Bazm-e-Akram, which have boosted the profession immensely.
The first woman library scientist of the country to have authored 40 books, she has been bringing Adab-o-Kutub Khana every year since 2011. The annual publication has provided a platform to the library professionals to express their literary and creative talents.
Dr Nasim Fatima has also commanded achieves and woman studies. She has brought two Ph.ds. Dr Shamshad Ahmad, who got degree on Sindh Archives, and Dr Zareen Ilyas, who conducted research on problems of internet use among woman teachers and librarians.
Her remarkable contribution in preparing a manual for software engineers in Sindh Archives was widely hailed as it allowed the organization to obtained database and other guidelines for authors of other subjects as well besides library science.
She has been contributing regularly for various publications and websites. Besides Pakistan Library & Information Science Journal, Paklag News and Sada-e-Librarian, she also writes for the Pakistan News & Features Services (PNFS).
In public libraries there are women librarians like Nazia Mukhtar at Ghalib Library and Shaheen at Liaquat Library while Huma Manan Butt and Afshan Gul work at the Pakistan Navy Central Library.
The School of Librarianship of Pakistan Bibliographical Working Group has been conducting a library science certificate course for professional with Dr Amna Khatoon being its Principal.
In the social sector Dr Naseem Shagufta, being Vice President at Cradle Welfare Organization, Library Promotion Beurue and Bazm-e-Akram, has authored her maiden book titled ‘Darakhshan Sitaray’ which documents the accomplishments of Pakistan’s women library scientists.
Despite the fact that many of the women library professions have had to overcome obstacles of various kinds, they have continued to shine and make their presence felt in a big way. With greater facilities at their disposal, they could shine even more brightly.
Happy Women's Day to all women who served this profession.
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