| Summary: | The purpose of this study was to investigate the existing status of Saudi university libraries and examine the attitudes and opinions of university librarians and some university officials toward an automated cooperative university library network in the Kingdom. === Data were collected with a five-part questionnaire, interviews, and analysis of relevant literature. The questionnaire was distributed to all library staff working in the seven Saudi university libraries. The questionnaire collected information on the existing status of libraries, and on the attitudes and opinions of library staff concerning a number of network functions, barriers, and requirements as well as the need, value, and feasibility of a library network. Interviews were conducted with selected university officials to learn the universities' experience with networking and network planning, support, and possible obstacles. === The findings indicate that each university library performs a variety of activities and provides many types of services and programs to its users. Cooperation among libraries was found primarily in the areas of inter-library lending, gift and exchange, photocopying, and union lists and catalogs. Only minimal efforts were given to interlibrary cooperation and coordination. From a technological point of view, libraries were found to be capable of being involved in an automated cooperative network. === The majority of respondents saw an automated cooperative library network as feasible and expressed willingness to participate in it. The major impediments for establishing a network were found to be human factors, lack of cooperative planning, institutional leadership, bibliographic control, standards, and communication. === Based on the findings, the investigator believes that with a higher level of cooperation, coordination, and commitment, these impediments can be overcome. Also, an automated cooperative library network should be organized to contribute to solving these problems and improving existing services and activities. === Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-07, Section: A, page: 1608. === Major Professor: F. William Summers. === Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.
|
|---|
