(14) Public Library Development in Malaysia: A Brief Statement of Existing Conditions Together with a Research Proposal

Education is not static but dynamic, and evolving with changing needs, hopes and aspirations of the individuals and the society. The process of education is, therefore, closely tied to the prevailing conditions and aspirations of a particular society. So the diverse and changing needs of each society reflects on the current trends in library education and training. It is argued that library education must deal with the essential principles and theories relating to human communication and information dissemination. In this respect, the provision of library services is the hand-maiden of these theoretical considerations and principles. Library training is meant to teach or impart skills. The process of library training is required to equip an individual with the skills and techniques necessary to carry out certain tasks. In our view, this is the “how” of library practice.¹ Wherever possible, the two are found as complement to each other.