The Public Libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
A Bench Marking Study Against IFLA Guidelines
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23974/ijol.2026.vol11.1.538Abstract
The aim of the study was to assess the status of public libraries against IFLA standards regarding library collection, staff, books storage space, user space/study hall, accessibility for the physically handicapped individuals, and safety. The purpose of this valuation is to guide investments, promote best practices, and enhance library capacity, line up with global standards for educational and cultural enrichment. Study has been conducted by employing a quantitative research design, physical surveys were administered to In-charge/Head librarians of all the 17 public libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The data on library book resources, infrastructure, and facilities were analyzed using Excel worksheets. Findings shows that the current state of public libraries in KP falls significantly below IFLA standards across multiple domains. However, with proper planning, resource allocation, and staff development, these gaps can be bridged. Implementing the recommendations of research would lead to more equitable access to information, safer environments, and a culture of lifelong learning across the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Downloads
References
Bhowmick, A., & Chakrabarty, B. (2024). Backdrop of IFLA-UNESCO Guidelines on Jharkhand Public Library and a Proposed Model of Jharkhand Library Network (JHALIBNET). Journal of Indian Library Association, 60(3), 419-434.
Erza, E., Ghani, M. W., & Prakoso, A. (2024). Accessibility of library building for people with disabilities in Jakarta. Alexandria Journal of Library and Information Science, 1(1), 27–44.
EIFL. (2010). Public libraries in Africa – agents for development and innovation. EIFL Public Library Innovation Programme.
EIFL. (2020). Digital inclusion – libraries hold the key.
EIFL. (2021). A decade of transforming public libraries.
Haider, M. S., Chen, Y., & Hussain, M. (2023). Services of public libraries in the age of technology: A Pakistani perspective. SAGE Open, 13(2).
IFLA. (2015). Principles on public access in libraries.
IFLA. (2023). Global standards for public libraries.
Khan, A., Zareef, M., & Ahmed, P. (2021). Issues and perspectives of public libraries in Pakistan: A review. Libri, 71(2), 123–140.
Khan, G., et al. (2025). Disability-friendly services: An assessment of facilities and services for users with disabilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa archives and libraries. Research Consortium Archive, 3(2), 927-938.
Koontez, C., & Gubbin, B. (2010). IFLA Public Library Service Guidelines. Berline, DEU: Walter de Gruyter.
https://rc-rchive.com/index.php/Journal/article/view/172
Malik, A., & Ameen, K. (2017). Library/information education programs in Pakistan: A comparison with IFLA guidelines. Library Review, 66(4/5), 297–309. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-11-2016-0098
Munemo, E., & Chiwanza, K. (2024). Disability inclusion: accessibility of library services to visually impaired users in Harare, Zimbabwe. International Journal of Research in Information Science & Services.
Muhammad, A. (2025). Disaster Management Practices in Universities Libraries: A study of Hazara Region Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. [Unpublished Master’thesis].
Mushtaq, M., & Shah, M. A. (2023). Collection development policies in Punjab public libraries. Journal of Social Sciences Review, 3(1), 519–532.
Naayini, P., Myakala, P. K., Bura, C., Jonnalagadda, A. K., & Kamatala, S. (2025). AI-powered assistive technologies for visual impairment. ArXiv.
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. (2023). 2023 Census of Pakistan. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.gov.pk/
Paul, S., & Chauhan, S. (2024). Enhancing accessibility in special libraries: A study on AI-powered assistive technologies. ArXiv.
Rafi, M., Ahmad, K., & Ming, Z. J. (2020). Public libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: An audit of trends and challenges. Library Management, 42(3), 214–232.
Rana, J. I., & Bhatti, R. (2020a). Transforming public libraries into community learning hubs via ICT in Punjab. International Journal of Librarianship & Information Science, 5, 45–54.
Rana, J. I., & Bhatti, R. (2020b). Use of ICT in collection management of public libraries in Punjab. Library Philosophy & Practice.
Saberi, M.K. and Pazooki, F. (2015). A Comparison of the Conditions of Iran Public Libraries with the IFLA Standards. Paper presented at the IFLA World Library and Information Congress, Cape Town, South Africa.
UNESCO. (2022). UNESCO Public Library Manifesto. UNESCO.
Warraich, N. F., Malik, A., & Ameen, K. (2018). Collection development in Sindh public libraries. Journal of Social Sciences Review, 2(2), 215–230.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Librarianship
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and the initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the nonexclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
