Innovations in Saudi University Libraries: An insider’s view

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

2. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia • Founded: 1932 by Abdulaziz bin Abd al-Rahman Al Saud • Area: 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

3. 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, PhD) • 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

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

14. 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

15. Enormous use of emerging technologies

16. 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

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

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

19. Self check-out machine

20. Intelligent return and sorter system

21. Internet labs

22. Imaging service

23. Smart board • Interactive whiteboard • DViT (Digital Vision Touch) technology

24. Kiosk for interactive map

25. Video wall for information

26. Large screen for announcement

27. Small elevator for books

28. Technology for book preservation

29. Shift from individual learning to collaborative learning

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

31. Shift from traditional to online service model

32. Library website

33. 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

34. Saudi Digital Library

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

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

37. Virtual catalog of Saudi libraries

38. Access to e-resources through mobile • Links to mobile websites of databases and e-journals • Links to mobile applications for Android and iTunes • Installation and user guides for mobile applications • Use of BookMyne software • Use of QR codes

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

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

41. Library presence on social media

42. Online subject guides

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

44. Going beyond library walls

45. 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

46. 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

47. Library liaison with industry

48. Librarian’s role as teacher

49. 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

50. QUESTIONS Thanks for your patience