Innovations in Saudi University Libraries An insiders view

Innovations in Saudi University Libraries: An insider’s view Professor Khalid Mahmood 1

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia �Founded: 1932 by Abdulaziz bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud �Area: 2 million km 2 �Population: 21 million Saudi citizens and 5 million foreigners �Economy: World’s largest oil exporter; 19 th highest GDP in the world �System of government: Absolute monarchy; no political parties or elections �Constitution: Quran and Sunnah 2

Higher education and libraries � 25 public universities, 7 private universities �Education is free at all levels �Large number of scholarships for students �Segregated for men and women �American system of education (BS 4 -year, MS, Ph. D) �Semester system (Fall and Spring with summer vacations) �Large number of foreign faculty �Centralized library system (central and branch libraries) �Deanship of library affairs �Saudi dean, vice dean and director 3

This presentation is based on my experience in and visit to libraries in nine Saudi universities 4

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Revolutionary changes in university libraries �Enormous use of emerging technologies �Shift from individual learning to collaborative learning �Shift from traditional to online service model �Going beyond library walls �Librarian’s role as teacher 14

Enormous use of emerging technologies 15

Integrated library system – Symphony/Millennium/Horizon • • • Used in the most of university libraries Prepared by American companies Maintained in Saudi Arabia by Naseej Arabian Advanced Systems Modules: Cataloging, OPAC, circulation, acquisition, ILL and serials management Multilingual International standards (Z 39. 50, MARC) RFID integration SMS and e-mail notifications Special feature of My Account 16

Radio-frequency identification – RFID � 3 M company �Tags in books �Used for circulation �Security gates �User counts �Shelf management 17

Digital library assistant – DLA � 3 M company �Shelf management �Stock verification 18

Self check-out machine 19

Intelligent return and sorter system 20

Internet labs 21

Imaging service 22

Smart board �Interactive whiteboard �DVi. T (Digital Vision Touch) technology 23

Kiosk for interactive map 24

Video wall for information 25

Large screen for announcement 26

Small elevator for books 27

Technology for book preservation 28

Shift from individual learning to collaborative learning 29

�Cabins for individual study �Group study rooms �Seminar rooms �Video conference rooms �Exhibition area �Cafeteria 30

Shift from traditional to online service model 31

Library website 32

E-resources portal � � � One-stop-shop for subscribed e-resources Subject-wise and alphabetic list of databases and journals Hierarchical list of e-books and e-journals Links to Summon and Library OPAC Link to ‘Ask a Librarian’ Off-campus access 33

Saudi Digital Library 34

Web scale discovery tool – Summon �Developed by Pro. Quest, an American company �Unified search of library catalog, e-databases, ejournals and e-books �Simple and advanced search �Multi-lingual search and interface �Citations can be exported �Name of suggested librarian 35

Encore Discovery Solution �Used by KAUST �Developed by Innovative Interfaces, an American company 36

Virtual catalog of Saudi libraries 37

Access to e-resources through mobile � Links to mobile websites of databases and e-journals � Links to mobile applications for Android and i. Tunes � Installation and user guides for mobile applications � Use of Book. Myne software � Use of QR codes 38

Institutional repository �Archiving of research output of university, i. e. , books, research papers, theses, etc. �DSpace and e. Prints open source software �Subject wise collections �Simple and advanced search and browse �Faculty members can upload their research papers 39

‘Ask a librarian’ service �Online chat service for users �English and Arabic medium �Backed by qualified librarians 40

Library presence on social media 41

Online subject guides 42

Selective dissemination of information – SDI �Surveys on information needs and interest areas of teachers and students �SDI service through email �User profiles in databases 43

Going beyond library walls 44

Liaison librarians program Functions � Communicate with college community � Establish contacts with college faculty and administration � Attend college functions (meetings, workshops, conferences, social gatherings, etc. ) � Provide help to college in new program design, curriculum revision, accreditation, etc. � Convey community’s opinions/suggestions to library administration � Promote library resources and services � Send alerts to the college community regarding library services � Create flyers with library information � Provide current awareness service (New arrivals, etc. ) � Arrange library tours for college community � Provide help in library feedback surveys � Develop and manage library collection � Assess library collection on specific subject � Involve college faculty in selection of material � Provide help in purchase of materials � Provide help in technical processing of specialized material � Manage library collection (use, weeding, etc. ) � Play role in developing institutional repository 45

Liaison librarians program… Functions �Provide reference assistance �Keep abreast of resources in specialized subject �Provide subject focused service at reference desk �Provide research consultations by appointment �Answer online reference queries �Assess information needs of community �Provide information literacy instruction �Design information literacy instruction program �Conduct IL sessions in library and college �Compile user guides in subject area 46

Library liaison with industry 47

Librarian’s role as teacher 48

Information literacy instruction �Credit courses �Workshops for students �Seminars and workshops for faculty �Presentations by database vendors �Campaigns to promote library resources �Exhibitions of library materials at conferences 49

Thanks for your patience QUESTIONS 50