A training workshop for library professionals concluded in Islamabad on Friday. 

Pakistan Scientific & Technological Information Centre (PASTIC), a subsidiary of Pakistan Science Foundation under the umbrella of Ministry of Science & Technology, organised a specialised training course at National Centre, Islamabad from February 15 to March 5. 

As many as 25 library professionals belonging to Islamabad, AJK, Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, KP, Punjab and Sindh attended the workshop. 

PASTIC National Science Reference Library (NSRL) has developed a consortium of S&T/R&D Libraries of Pakistan for mutual cooperation and collaboration through resource sharing under its project named “Modernization of PASTIC National Science Reference Library for effective resource sharing among S&T libraries in Pakistan”. 

Under this consortium various scattered indigenous R&D information resources available in S&T libraries has been centralized over a common online platform “PakCat” for search by the users. Empowering Library Professionals on ICT skills for development of Pakistan competence in information handling and producing an adequate corps of information scientists is one of the main objectives of PASTIC.

Chairman Pakistan Science Foundation, Prof Dr Shahid Mahmood Baig was the chief guest in the closing ceremony. DG PASTIC Prof Dr M Akram Shaikh in his welcome address said that PASTIC is always striving for improving and strengthening its information resources and services for the benefit of R&D community. He advised the participants to apply and disseminate their knowledge at their respective parent organizations for the interest of scientific community.

Project coordinator and Principal Librarian PASTIC, Syed Habib Akhter Jaffri presented brief report of the workshop.

Chairman PSF Prof Dr Shahid Mahmood Baig appreciated the role of PASTIC in capacity building of librarians. He said that human resource development is an integral part of development process which not only enhance knowledge of work force but also improve their working capabilities. He further emphasized that skilled and professional librarians can only positively contribute to their organization and to the country in general.