Information Needs and Role of Libraries for Transgender Students in Higher Education A Case Study of Pakistan

Main Article Content

Saima Hanif
Qurat Ul Ain Saleem
Nazia Wahid
Murtaza Ashiq

Abstract

This study explores the everyday information needs and role of university libraries in informing education administrators and policymakers to provide more library facilities for the inclusion of transgender students. A qualitative research approach was employed to meet the objectives of this study. Interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide and a snowball sampling technique was adopted to access the transgender community. The results highlighted that the information need of transgender community revolves around community issues, health, fashion, job searching, and safety. It is observed that they usually use online sources such as Google, official websites, and social media-based networking sites (Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram) to fulfill their information needs. The participants were of the view that library services need improvements, and should create more inclusive and accessible resources. This study has its own theoretical, policy, and practical implications in terms of demanding existing theories to be expanded about how different social groups search for their unique information needs. This study also supports the idea that libraries need a serious and rapid revaluation of their services, moreover, immediate support is needed for transgender students by both educational institutions and policymakers.

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How to Cite
Saima Hanif, Qurat Ul Ain Saleem, Nazia Wahid, & Murtaza Ashiq. (2025). Information Needs and Role of Libraries for Transgender Students in Higher Education: A Case Study of Pakistan. Malaysian Journal of Library and Information Science, 30(1), 135–157. https://doi.org/10.22452/mjlis.vol30no1.6
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Articles
Author Biography

Qurat Ul Ain Saleem, University of Home Economics, Lahore, PAKISTAN

Qurat Ul Ain Saleem has completed her Ph.D. from Institute of Information Management, University of the Punjab. She has more than eleven years post-qualification professional experience delivering library and information services in academic libraries. Currently, she serves the University of Home Economics as a Lecturer of Information Management. She has published various research articles in HEC recognized and impact factor journals. Her area of research includes; personal information management, information literacy, library services, and professional development.