Fostering Research Literacy Programs in University Libraries of Rawalpindi, and Islamabad: A Situation Analysis

Abstract

In university libraries, a new and well liked area is called research literacy programs. This study's objectives are to assess the current state of research literacy programs offered in university libraries of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, to emphasize the key issues affecting the effectiveness of programs to promote research literacy and to offer recommendations for strategies to implement research literacy programs. The study is based on deductive reasoning which refers to the methodology of quantitative technique. The study is conducted in both public and private universities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad divisions and for that purpose, a structured questionnaire tool is used for data collection. SPSS is utilized to analyze the data.  The findings show that the librarians at Rawalpindi and Islamabad University libraries are aware of the value of research literacy programs in satisfying library patrons' informational demands. However, the study identifies the several challenges, including a lack of collaboration between faculty and librarians, a lack of training for librarians, no cooperation from organizations, and a deficiency in technology proficiency. It is recommended that librarians take the appropriate actions to get rid of these challenges. It is vital that university librarians collaborate with faculty, and overcome the deficiencies. This research provides an overview of the state of research literacy programs, existing practices, and obstacles to providing research literacy programs in the university libraries of the Rawalpindi and Islamabad divisions. This study fills a gap in the literature and will raise awareness among Pakistani LIS professionals regarding the value of research literacy programs. The results of this study will also inspire librarians to improve research literacy services in university libraries.