Received: 13-Dec-2022, Manuscript No. GEJLIS-23-83356; Editor assigned: 15-Dec-2022, Pre QC No. GEJLIS-23-83356 (PQ); Reviewed: 29-Dec-2022, QC No. GEJLIS-23-83356; Revised: 03-Feb-2023, Manuscript No. GEJLIS-23-83356 (R); Published: 10-Feb-2023, DOI: 10.15651/2449-0628.23.10.064
Libraries all over the world are committed to giving everyone free and equal access to information, whether it is in written or electronic form. They play a crucial part in fostering literate settings and increasing literacy by providing age and literacy appropriate reading material as well as adult and family literacy workshops. They accept the social duty of providing services that cross social, political, and economic divides, and they generally go out of their way to provide services to those who are less fortunate. Finding, accessing, and interpreting relevant information with the help of libraries creates chances for lifelong learning, literacy development, informed citizenship, leisure, creative expression, independent investigation, critical thinking, and ultimately, empowerment in a more complicated society.
Distance learning as a mode of instruction currently demonstrates considerable promise, and online libraries' significance in providing off-campus information services is growing. The study's findings demonstrate that China's libraries responded to the COVID-19 in a manner comparable to that of Italian libraries, but that final decisions varied due to China's less advanced technological state. Libraries may utilise this information to pinpoint areas that need work. The findings reveal that Chinese libraries outperformed Italian libraries in evading quarantine constraints. The vast majority of respondents said they enjoyed learning remotely and would not object if distance learning programmes continued to operate once the pandemic was over.
Role of School, College, and University Libraries
It goes without saying that school, college, and university libraries are essential for addressing the society's members' requirements for education, information, and amusement. In order to satisfy their customers' information demands, libraries build their collections, facilities, and services. However, libraries must have a solid awareness of the information demands of their users in order to carry out this work successfully. To adapt to change and achieve its objective of enhancing peace in all facets of life, college and university libraries in Pakistan must widen their goals.
It is necessary to plan seminars and workshops for the discussion and exchange of information and concepts for specific groups on issues, topics, or issues in all areas of societal concern. The literature and interview responses recommended that these libraries should concentrate on the following issues to promote peace building and act as a potent force for social change: Seminars, lectures, conferences, book fairs, library exhibitions, new publication displays, clippings upkeep, bibliographic services, reference services, selective information dissemination, and services for current awareness.
Libraries are anticipated to alter the mind-set of civic society, a participant in the peace process. By offering pertinent information, holding library exhibitions, displaying recent publications, keeping clippings, and offering translation services, libraries school, public, university, and national can influence the nation's mentality. Mckee emphasised the significance of the library promoting information freedom of access. He added that in order to contribute to the foundations of peace in our society, librarians must be committed to intellectual freedom, democratic ideals, and the advancement of equality, opportunity, and understanding in our society.
Roles of Libraries for Promoting Peace Education in the Society
In-depth interviews with national and international educationists, sociologists, psychologists, and library professionals, as well as a thorough review of the literature, suggest that education for peace should focus on cultivating the belief and attitude that will help to advance tolerance, equality, love, and respect in society.
Since libraries are thought of as the centre of all activity, it is their duty to take proactive measures to advance world peace. The purpose of the libraries must be to promote peace via formal and informal education.
Role of Public Libraries, Information Centers, and Museums
The provision of effective, user centered, and outstanding library and information services that attempt to provide fair access to information for all communities (literate and illiterate) in Pakistan must be supported by public libraries, information and archival centres, and museums. Public libraries and museums should broaden their ideas of library services and foster constructive community involvement. These ought to be developed in collaboration with educators, members of civil society, and professionals from the legal and medical fields, sociologists, psychologists, journalists, and artists, as well as members of the business and social services sectors, the community of madarsahs, those in charge of community development, youth workers, and representatives from local and international NGO’s. Libraries and museums may demonstrate their value by offering these groups the information, resources, and services needed to organise seminars, conferences, workshops, and community development gatherings.