Innovations in Saudi University Libraries: An insider’s view

Professor Khalid Mahmood

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Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaFounded: 1932 by Abdulaziz bin Abd al-

Rahman Al SaudArea: 2 million km2

Population: 21 million Saudi citizens and 5 million foreigners

Economy: World’s largest oil exporter; 19th highest GDP in the world

System of government: Absolute monarchy; no political parties or elections

Constitution: Quran and Sunnah

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Higher education and libraries25 public universities, 7 private universitiesEducation is free at all levelsLarge number of scholarships for studentsSegregated for men and womenAmerican system of education (BS 4-year, MS, PhD)Semester system (Fall and Spring with summer

vacations)Large number of foreign facultyCentralized library system (central and branch

libraries)Deanship of library affairsSaudi dean, vice dean and director

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Revolutionary changes in university librariesEnormous use of emerging

technologiesShift from individual learning to

collaborative learningShift from traditional to online

service modelGoing beyond library wallsLibrarian’s role as teacher

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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

(Z39.50, MARC)• RFID integration• SMS and e-mail notifications• Special feature of My Account

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Radio-frequency identification – RFID3M companyTags in booksUsed for

circulationSecurity gatesUser countsShelf

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Digital library assistant – DLA3M companyShelf management

Stock verification

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Self check-out machine

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Intelligent return and sorter system

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Internet labs

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Imaging service

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Smart boardInteractive

whiteboardDViT (Digital

Vision Touch) technology

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Kiosk for interactive map

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Video wall for information

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Large screen for announcement

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Small elevator for books

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Technology for book preservation

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Cabins for individual study

Group study rooms

Seminar roomsVideo

conference rooms

Exhibition areaCafeteria

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Library website

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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

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Saudi Digital Library

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Web scale discovery tool – Summon

Developed by ProQuest, an American companyUnified search of library catalog, e-databases,

e-journals and e-booksSimple and advanced searchMulti-lingual search and interfaceCitations can be exportedName of suggested librarian

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Encore Discovery Solution

Used by KAUSTDeveloped by Innovative Interfaces, an American

company

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Virtual catalog of Saudi libraries

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Access to e-resources through mobileLinks to mobile websites of databases and e-journalsLinks to mobile applications for Android and iTunes Installation and user guides for mobile applicationsUse of BookMyne softwareUse of QR codes

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Institutional repository

Archiving of research output of university, i.e., books, research papers, theses, etc.

DSpace and ePrints open source softwareSubject wise collectionsSimple and advanced search and browseFaculty members can upload their research papers

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‘Ask a librarian’ serviceOnline chat service for usersEnglish and Arabic mediumBacked by qualified

librarians

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Library presence on social media

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Online subject guides

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Selective dissemination of information – SDISurveys on information needs and

interest areas of teachers and students

SDI service through emailUser profiles in databases

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Liaison librarians programFunctionsCommunicate 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

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Liaison librarians program…FunctionsProvide reference assistance

Keep abreast of resources in specialized subjectProvide subject focused service at reference deskProvide research consultations by appointmentAnswer online reference queriesAssess information needs of community

Provide information literacy instructionDesign information literacy instruction programConduct IL sessions in library and collegeCompile user guides in subject area

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Library liaison with industry

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Information literacy instructionCredit coursesWorkshops for studentsSeminars and

workshops for facultyPresentations by

database vendorsCampaigns to promote

library resourcesExhibitions of library

materials at conferences

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QUESTIONS

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