Digitization Process of Archives: A Case Study of the Punjab Archives, Lahore

Authors

  • Mukarram Nawaz Digital Imaging Officer, Punjab Information Technology Board, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar Head, Department of Main Library & IT, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Dr. Muhammad Tariq Incharge, Library Information Services, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Sidra Batool Technical Librarian, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
  • Shahbaz Ali Librarian, Abdus Salam School of Mathematical Sciences, Government College University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55737/qjssh.391567320

Keywords:

Punjab Archives, Digitization Process, Cataloguing, Challenges, Documents

Abstract

The digitization process of archives involves the conversion of physical documents, records, and artefacts into digital formats, enabling easier access, preservation, and dissemination of valuable historical information.The present study aimed to explore the digitization and preservation of archives: a case study of the Punjab Archives, Lahore. This study uses a qualitative research methodology in order to achieve the study's goals. An inductive approach was used to collect the data. Data was collected from the staff of the Punjab archives team, the project team and primary sources. Data was converted into written transcripts with the help of NVivo software. The benefits of digitization, such as improved accessibility, enhanced searchability, increased security, efficiency of accessing resources, and the protection of cultural heritage, are discussed, along with potential benefits, challenges, and solutions. The findings of the study revealed that the Punjab archives are the richest and oldest archives in the region. Seven million archives are available in different forms (documents, manuscripts, government records, coins, stamps, lithography, books, pictures, maps, etc.) in the Punjab Archives, and 114,592 documents have been selected for the initial phase of digitization. The purpose of the project was to preserve damaged, forged, and torn records in digital form.

Author Biography

  • Muhammad Nadeem Akhtar, Head, Department of Main Library & IT, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

References

Ahmad, S. (2008). Research study on Library and Archival Records in the Directorate of Sindh Archives. Karachi: Unpublished PhD Thesis.

Alhaji, U. I. (2007). Digitization of past question papers, dissertations and theses: A case study of 30 Nigerian university libraries. The International Information & Library Review, 39(3-4), 228-246. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iilr.2007.07.002

Amalia, A. T., & Panduwinata, L. F. (2022). SistemInformasiManajemenArsipElektronik (E-Arsip) Berbasis Microsoft Access TerhadapEfektivitasPenemuanKembaliArsipPada SMKN 4 Surabaya. JurnalPendidikanAdministrasiPerkantoran (JPAP), 10(3), 195–210. https://doi.org/10.26740/jpap.v10n3.p195-210

Archives, P. (2021, September). Punjab Archives and Libraries Wing, S & GAD. https://archives.punjab.gov.pk/

Bültmann, B., Hardy, R., Muir, A., & Wictor, C. (2006). Digitized content in the UK research Library and Archives sector. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 38(2), 105-122. https://doi.org/10.1177/0961000606063893

Chugtai, A. (2019). The Project of Digitization, Preservation and Modernization of Punjab Archives and Libraries Wing. Lahore: Punjab Information Technology Board.

Jaswal, B. A. (2016). Digitization of archival collections by libraries in Pakistan: Issues, strategies, challenges and opportunities. Pakistan Journal of Information Management and Libraries, 17, 97-108. https://doi.org/10.47657/201617897

Khadjah, U. L., Perdana, F., Kirana Sarasvathi, D. G., & Winoto, Y. (2021). Proses digitalisasi naskah kuno sebagai pelestarian informasi Di Museum bandar Cimanuk Indramayu. Pustaka Karya : Jurnal Ilmiah Ilmu Perpustakaan dan Informasi, 9(1), 49. https://doi.org/10.18592/pk.v9i1.5167

Mariner, M. C. (2014). Managing Digital Audiovisual Resources: A Practical Guide for Librarians. Rowman&Littlefield, Lanham, MD. https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810891036/Managing-Digital-Audiovisual-Resources-A-Practical-Guide-for-Librarians

Mat, S. Y., &Kolej, A. M. (2005). Digitization and sustainability of local collection: an observation of digitization activities among universities libraries. In World Library and Information Congress: 71st IFLA General Conference and Council "Libraries a voyage of discovery". Norway: Oslo. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:107844529

McMenemy, D., &Poulter, A. (2005). Delivering digital services: a handbook for public libraries and learning centres. London: Facet. https://pureportal.strath.ac.uk/en/publications/delivering-digital-services-a-handbook-for-public-libraries-and-l

Niazi, L. A. (2008). An introduction to the Punjab Government archives: Tomb of Anarkali. Lahore: Sang-e-Meel Publications. https://books.google.com.pk/books/about/An_Introduction_to_the_Punjab_Government.html?id=Be0vngAACAAJ&redir_esc=y

Rafiq, M., & Ameen, K. (2014). Towards a digitization framework: Pakistani perspective. Pakistan Journal of Information Management and Libraries, 15, 22-29. https://doi.org/10.47657/201415757

Rozana, L., & Musfikar, R. (2020). Analisis Dan perancangan sistem informasi pengarsipan Surat berbasis web pada Kantor lurah Desa dayah tuha. Cyberspace: Jurnal Pendidikan Teknologi Informasi, 4(1), 14. https://doi.org/10.22373/cj.v4i1.6933

Ulyatt, M. (2014). The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is a cultural representation of the public memory of the president. European Journal of American Culture, 33(2), 117-130. https://doi.org/10.1386/ejac.33.2.117_1

Wirasaputra, A., Riduan, F., & Noviana, W. (2022). Dampak Dari PerkembanganTeknologiInformasi Dan Komunikasi. JurnalKreativitasMahasiswaInformatika, 3(2), 206–210.

Published

2024-03-30

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Nawaz, M., Akhtar, M. N., Tariq, D. M., Batool, S., & Ali, S. (2024). Digitization Process of Archives: A Case Study of the Punjab Archives, Lahore. Qlantic Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 5(1), 240-247. https://doi.org/10.55737/qjssh.391567320

Similar Articles

61-70 of 150

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.