An Interlibrary Loan Network Among Academic Libraries of Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

Global information explosion, escalating prices of books and periodicals, fiscal constraints, and above all, demand for faster supply of information through electronic means has forced the academic libraries, world-wide, to share their resources through local, national, and regional cooperative networks to fulfill requirements of their patrons. The article presents a model plan of an interlibrary loan network (ILLN) among academic libraries of Saudi Arabia and discusses its organizational structure, governance, operational requirements, finances, etc. The proposed ILLN will be formal, regular, and systematic to provide greater cooperation, coordination, efficiency, cost effectiveness, and will ensure comprehensive sharing of available resources.     

Library Anxiety among Undergraduate Students: A Comparative Study on Egypt and Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this paper is to report the findings of a study of library anxiety among a group of Arab students in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. The paper also investigated the factors that affect the students' level of anxiety while using academic libraries. The study tried to compare the difference in the level of anxiety in the two countries using a scale (LLPB) developed by the researchers which fit the culture in the Arab region. The study adopted a mixed methods approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with several students in Saudi Arabia and Egypt to determine the main factors that lead to having a level of anxiety in the libraries. In the second stage, a questionnaire was sent to students to measure what factors have a greater impact on the level of anxiety. The data showed that Egyptian students are more anxious about using the libraries than the Saudi students. The results also indicated that there is a need to train students on how to use the libraries and also change students' perception regarding the library to reduce the level of anxiety. This study was conducted in Egypt and Saudi Arabia the level of library anxiety and the factors that may affect the students may vary in other countries.     

(2) Annual Report of the President 1972–1973

This study examines the development of six state university libraries in the Arab Gulf countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. Despite the relatively short history of higher education in these countries, these libraries have made some significant progress. It should be noted that in terms of library organization, size of collections, number of staff, service activities, and computer applications, these libraries are considered by default the main libraries in their respective countries. At present, only Saudi Arabia has a national library.

This study employed a survey questionnaire which was sent to all Gulf university libraries to identify and gather pertinent and current information necessary to establish an accurate profile on each one of these libraries.

The study provides basic information on library organization and analysis of collections, services, staffing, budgeting, expenditures, automation, and information technology. The study findings suggest that further research is needed to examine and evaluate collections, service activities and instructional programs, staff development and training, co-operation among Arab Gulf universities, and library education programs in the region.     

Some variables of comparison between developed and developing library systems

Abstract

This article traces the establishment and functions of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the development of national data bases. The data bases, accessible by the public, are introduced with their subject coverage and number of records. The first computer network in the Arab world, GULFNET, which provides communication among the academic communities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, including services available through GULFNET and KFUPM Library, are discussed in detail. The evaluation of the three most frequently used of KACST's data bases is made by using the statistics of the last 8 years. The founding of BITNET in the USA is explained, together with its GULFNET connection in the Arab world and use at KFUPM Library with different commands. Finally, while suggesting a few points regarding the effective use of GULFNET, KACST's data bases and the possibilities of INTERNET use, the future dominance of organizational networks for the purposes of educational and scientific etc., communications in the near future is emphasized.     

Health informatics publication trends in Saudi Arabia: a bibliometric analysis over the last twenty-four years

Objective:Understanding health informatics (HI) publication trends in Saudi Arabia may serve as a framework for future research efforts and contribute toward meeting national “e-Health” goals. The authors’ intention was to understand the state of the HI field in Saudi Arabia by exploring publication trends and their alignment with national goals.Methods:A scoping review was performed to identify HI publications from Saudi Arabia in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. We analyzed publication trends based on topics, keywords, and how they align with the Ministry of Health''s (MOH''s) “digital health journey” framework.Results:The total number of publications included was 242. We found 1 (0.4%) publication in 1995–1999, 11 (4.5%) publications in 2000–2009, and 230 (95.0%) publications in 2010–2019. We categorized publications into 3 main HI fields and 4 subfields: 73.1% (n=177) of publications were in clinical informatics (85.1%, n=151 medical informatics; 5.6%, n=10 pharmacy informatics; 6.8%, n=12 nursing informatics; 2.3%, n=4 dental informatics); 22.3% (n=54) were in consumer health informatics; and 4.5% (n=11) were in public health informatics. The most common keyword was “medical informatics” (21.5%, n=52). MOH framework–based analysis showed that most publications were categorized as “digitally enabled care” and “digital health foundations.”Conclusions:The years of 2000–2009 may be seen as an infancy stage of the HI field in Saudi Arabia. Exploring how the Saudi Arabian MOH''s e-Health initiatives may influence research is valuable for advancing the field. Data exchange and interoperability, artificial intelligence, and intelligent health enterprises might be future research directions in Saudi Arabia.     

Prevailing Practices for Libraries on MySpace

Abstract

This paper is a study of academic libraries with sites at MySpace. From a selection of academic libraries with MySpace sites, the author brings to light the most common types of information and styles used to attract and inform patrons.     

Special Academic Libraries and the Millennial Patron

ABSTRACT

Special academic libraries are in the unique position to blend the innovative and user focused services of academic libraries with the niche collections of special libraries when serving their Millennial student population. Millennials are a highly researched generation, but special libraries may have not updated their services to reflect the needs and expectations of this rising generation. Maine Maritime Academy's Nutting Memorial Library serves as a case study of methods in which special academic libraries can incorporate Millennials' expectations of library spaces, services, and collections in sustainable ways.     

Interlibrary cooperation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: the holder-of-record system

The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Defense and Aviation, which contracts for management of military hospitals, responded to the libraries' needs for more complete and extensive journal holdings. Better journal coverage was achieved through improved communication and cooperation among neighbor libraries, and through systematic implementation of a holder-of-record system. Interlibrary loan activity was more evenly distributed, and 70% of requisitions which previously had to be handled by foreign libraries can now be filled in Saudi Arabia.     

Chinese academic librarianship in transition

Abstract

This study examines reasons for the shortage of qualified academic librarians in China and recommends ways to position Chinese academic libraries to move into the modern era.

Interviews were conducted with 20 academic librarians in China and 20 in the United States, in one library in each country, to collect data for a comparative study. This paper compares Chinese and US academic librarianship in terms of reasons for entering this profession, academic education in library and information science, and requirements for knowledge and information skills.

Chinese librarianship faces great challenges in the recruitment and education of librarians and with the library system itself. It is time for the government, university officials, libraries and society as a whole to learn to promote librarianship and build a powerful librarian workforce, to meet the needs of China's social and economic development.     

Another Look at Food in the Library

ABSTRACT

Budget constraints in academic libraries have led them to seek alternative means of providing patrons with articles without subscribing to every journal requested. In order to determine how academic libraries were doing this for business articles, a study was conducted of selected academic libraries at universities offering MBA degrees. The results of the study indicate that academic libraries use a combination of ways to obtain business articles that are not held in their collections. In addition to traditional interlibrary loan, libraries are providing access to full text databases, subscribing to electronic journals and using commercial document delivery services. This article examines the influence that technology and, especially the Internet, has had on the ability to offer patrons quicker, and often better, access than ever before. In spite of tight budgets, academic libraries are finding innovative ways to fund these services in order to provide timely service to their business faculty and students.     

Louisiana Academic Libraries

Abstract

The state of Louisiana has a long history of consortial activities among academic libraries. Having this infrastructure in place contributed to the ease of creation of a distance library services network that includes both public and private universities. This paper traces the history of academic library consortia in Louisiana, and provides methodologies and results of several surveys of distance education students. The results of a survey currently being conducted are forthcoming.     

On the Merit of Case Studies in Access Services

ABSTRACT

The creation of “Access Services” departments in academic libraries did not translate into the creation or offering of new services for patrons. Instead, it was typically just the combination of three already existing departments. Recent changes and trends in Access Services, including new NCIP and ISO standards, an increase in the use of electronic reserves, and the availability of items in various formats, now allow librarians to reconsider if this departmental arrangement is the best for today's library customers. This paper argues that the traditional configuration of Access Services needs to be dismantled if academic libraries are to provide excellent customer service to faculty and students.     

Creating Collaborative Workstations for Reference and Public Use in Academic Libraries

ABSTRACT

The current focus on libraries as place involves the collaborative needs of library users for features such as movable furniture, group work areas, and amenities such as coffee shops. Additional attention needs to focus on how the technology infrastructure can support collaborative work in academic libraries. The one-user-one-machine setup common in many academic libraries does not do this. A collaborative workstation that is inexpensive and readily assembled is described along with equipment needs and costs. The impact of such a collaborative workstation for both reference work and public use is discussed.     

变革与走向:共同探索图书馆的未来——北京大学图书馆建馆110周年国际研讨会暨PRDLA2012年年会综述

2012年11月4-6日,在北京大学图书馆建馆110周年庆典之际,"变革与走向:重新定义大学图书馆的未来"国际会议暨环太平洋数字图书馆联盟(PRDLA)2012年年会成功举办。来自美国、加拿大、澳大利亚、新西兰、荷兰、波兰、印度、新加坡、沙特阿拉伯、巴基斯坦等国家以及香港、澳门、台湾、大陆地区的高校图书馆界代表240多人参加了会议。会议主要研讨了6个当前图书馆界最关心的领域,分别是:战略规划与管理创新;数据管理与数据服务;社会媒体与共享空间;联盟、合作与共享;知识发现与学科服务;用户研究与服务推广。通过对会议6个专题20多位发言人的主要报告进行综述和分析,总结了此次国际会议的学术成果和相关专题研究的发展趋势。     

Comparing Advertising Agencies’ Resources to Academic Libraries’ Collections

Abstract

Collection development analysis in academic libraries typically involves collection-centered and user-centered methods. These approaches focus on building collections that help students with their academic needs but may overlook resources that students need experience with when employed. To address this gap, the authors analyzed early-career advertising agency positions to identify a list of information resources that advertising agencies expect employees to use. This list was then compared against the library websites of 158 universities with advertising programs to see how sufficiently libraries are fulfilling these resource needs. The authors found that overall, university libraries only subscribe to a small number of resources used by advertising agencies.     

The life span of a print textbook: An investigation in the utility of aging textbook collections in academic libraries

Abstract

This paper will use circulation data to explore usage trends for physical textbooks in an academic library over a sustained period of time. Conclusions will be drawn from the analysis to determine the usefulness of aging physical textbook collections in academic libraries and inform recommendations for efficient models of lending and management.     

Damn the Recession,Full Speed Ahead

ABSTRACT

Academic libraries have undergone an evolutionary change as emerging technologies have impacted operations and services during the past two decades. For much of this period, increasing budgets have enabled libraries to keep pace with needed change. For the past two years, many academic libraries have lost significant funding due to the economic recession. This article argues that it is not a time for retrenchment and timidity but for expansion and boldness for academic libraries. The library that thrives, even in the midst of a recession, will be the one which seizes the opportunity to redesign itself for the future.     

Taking Library Recruitment a Step Closer

Abstract

During the summer of 2002, Cornell University Library implemented the Cornell University Library Junior Fellows Program-an initiative aimed at introducing high school students of color to academic libraries and librarianship. The six-week program was developed in response to the need for innovative approaches to the recruitment and retention of people of color to the academic library profession. Additionally, the program sought to support the academic achievement of minority students through involvement in research and technology training opportunities. This paper outlines the program's curriculum, performance outcomes, and challenges, and includes discussion of the need for similar programs or initiatives to be designed and implemented at other libraries.