Research Proposal Librarian in Bangladesh Dhaka – Free Word Template Download with AI

In the rapidly evolving knowledge economy of Bangladesh, the role of the librarian has transcended traditional book management to become a cornerstone of educational advancement and digital literacy. This research proposal addresses a critical gap in Dhaka, where urbanization pressures, technological shifts, and resource constraints have fundamentally reshaped library services. As Bangladesh's administrative and academic capital with over 21 million residents in its metropolitan area, Dhaka houses 68% of the country's higher education institutions and serves as the epicenter for national policy formulation in education. However, librarians across universities (e.g., University of Dhaka, BUET), public libraries (e.g., Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Library), and school libraries operate under systemic challenges that undermine their capacity to support Bangladesh's National Education Policy 2010–2041 goals. This study directly investigates the evolving responsibilities, professional development needs, and technological integration strategies of librarians in Dhaka's unique socio-educational landscape.

Dhaka's librarians face unprecedented challenges that compromise their efficacy as knowledge facilitators. A 2023 report by the Library Association of Bangladesh (LAB) revealed that 74% of public libraries in Dhaka operate with outdated cataloging systems, while only 38% of university librarians receive formal training in digital resource management—far below the global benchmark of 85%. The rapid proliferation of online academic databases and AI-driven research tools has created a "digital divide" between librarian competencies and user expectations. For instance, students at Dhaka University increasingly demand access to subscription-based journals, yet library staff lack the technical skills to manage these resources efficiently. Simultaneously, underfunding (average government allocation: $12 per capita annually for public libraries vs. $75 globally) limits infrastructure upgrades. This crisis threatens Bangladesh's vision of becoming a "digital Bangladesh" by 2041, as librarians are pivotal in bridging information gaps for students, researchers, and marginalized communities across Dhaka.

1. To assess the current competency profile of librarians (n=150) across 30 educational institutions in Dhaka, focusing on digital literacy, information retrieval systems, and user engagement strategies.
2. To identify systemic barriers (funding gaps, policy deficiencies, training limitations) impeding the librarian's capacity to support Bangladesh's national education goals in Dhaka.
3. To co-create a context-specific professional development framework for librarians with stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, LAB, and educational institutions.
4. To develop a scalable model for integrating traditional library services with emerging technologies (AI chatbots, open educational resources) within Dhaka's urban constraints.

This mixed-methods study employs a sequential explanatory design over 18 months:

Phase 1: Quantitative Assessment (Months 1–6)

A structured survey targeting all licensed librarians (n=420) registered with LAB in Dhaka, supplemented by institutional data on budget allocations and digital infrastructure. Key metrics include: proficiency in managing online catalogs (Koha, LibSys), training hours received annually, user satisfaction scores, and barriers to technology adoption.

Phase 2: Qualitative Deep Dive (Months 7–12)

Focus groups with librarians from diverse institutions (public universities, private colleges, community libraries) and key informant interviews with policymakers at the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), Dhaka. This phase explores experiential challenges—e.g., "How do you handle 50+ students daily requesting journal access without institutional subscriptions?"—to contextualize survey data.

Phase 3: Co-Creation Workshop & Model Development (Months 13–18)

A participatory workshop involving librarians, university deans, and DSHE representatives to translate findings into actionable recommendations. The output will be a Dhaka-specific "Librarian Competency Framework" aligned with the Bangladesh National Library Policy 2018 and ASEAN Library Network standards.

This research directly addresses gaps in national development priorities. By prioritizing Dhaka—a city where 64% of tertiary students are enrolled—the study ensures relevance to Bangladesh's most educationally dynamic urban hub. Findings will provide evidence-based policy recommendations to the Ministry of Education, potentially influencing the upcoming National Digital Literacy Strategy (2025). For librarians themselves, the project offers a pathway to professional recognition; currently, only 12% hold advanced library science degrees (vs. 67% in Singapore), limiting career progression. Crucially, this research centers community impact: Dhaka's informal settlements (e.g., Korail) have no public libraries; empowering librarians to design mobile resource hubs could expand access for 2.3 million underserved residents.

The project will deliver four tangible outputs: (1) A comprehensive report on Dhaka's librarian workforce challenges; (2) The "Dhaka Librarian Competency Framework" for institutional adoption; (3) An open-access online training module for librarians, developed with Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology's IT department; and (4) Policy briefs tailored for DSHE. Dissemination channels will include the LAB Conference, Dhaka University’s Faculty of Social Science seminars, and partnerships with organizations like UNDP Bangladesh. To ensure local impact, all materials will be available in Bengali alongside English.

All participants will provide informed consent, with data anonymized per LAB’s ethical guidelines. Special attention will be given to protecting vulnerable groups (e.g., librarians at low-budget institutions), and the research team includes two senior librarians from Dhaka-based universities as co-investigators to ensure cultural sensitivity.

The future of knowledge access in Bangladesh hinges on reimagining the librarian’s role beyond custodianship to that of a strategic educational partner. This proposal responds urgently to Dhaka’s unique context—where the convergence of high demand, limited resources, and digital transformation creates both crisis and opportunity. By centering the professional growth and systemic support for librarians in Bangladesh's capital city, this research will not only empower a vital workforce but also advance national goals of equitable education, digital inclusion, and sustainable development. As Dhaka continues to grow as South Asia’s most populous urban center, investing in its librarians is an investment in the knowledge infrastructure that will shape Bangladesh’s future.

Word Count: 847

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