رؤية المستفيدين لاثر التقنيات المكتبية الحديثة في تطوير خدماتهم

Abstract

ABSTRACT The modem library technologies are some of the technologies based on the latest scientific inventions such as modern machines and equipment. These inventions aim at achieving accuracy, speed and efficiency; saving human efforts in doing work at libraries. By the end of the twentieth century and early twenty first century, these technologies have largely developed for a variety of applications in libraries and information centers. This has its effect on the activities of those who are involved in conducting library services. The aim of this field study was to survey the present situation of the university libraries at Riyadh, Saudi Arabia after they have had some of the information technologies which were supposed to have positive effect on their S6l'VlC€S. The researcher used several tools and different methods in dealing with the subjects which contributed to answer the study questions. The most important tools were two questionnaires made by the researcher himself. The first questionnaire was given to the deans of the study libraries and to the heads of the respective departments. The researcher counted the number of what the study libraries have of these equipment, machines and software. He noted the viewpoints of those who were in charge of the libraries regarding these technologies. Copies of the second questionnaire were given to a sample of the male teaching staff at King Saud University and the Islamic University of Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud, of whom 341 responded to all items of this questionnaire.

The researcher used more than one statistical method in analyzing the data such as: frequency tables, percentages, averages, standard deviations and analysis of variance. He compared these outcomes with some previous studies showing his comments and remarks when and wherever it was necessary. These outcomes could be summarized as follows: - The number of these equipment and machines available for researchers at the study libraries was little, especially at the Imam University because of the lack of money. - The number of employees was few and insufficiently qualified which affected the users’ services. - The study libraries were connected to some of the international information databases, but this didn’t fulfill the desired objective. The users were still complaining of the lack of up-to-date information sources for their disciplines, especially in the scientific areas. - Most of the users were not satisfied with the sen/ices given to them, and many of them had no experience of using the equipment and machines available at libraries. The researcher consequently gave some important recommendations hoping to be taken into ‘consideration by those who were in charge of the study library affairs, as follows: - University libraries should cope with the latest technological developments. These developments should be given special importance in the developmental plans and be exploited for information services at Saudi Universities, and enough money should be allocated for that. - Accurate and strict norms should be observed for recruiting new employees for the university libraries, and more efforts should be exerted to develop their abilities and qualifications. - When selecting information contents, libraries should make a balance between what is published on paper and what is electronically published.

To train the users well on how to use the equipment and machines available at the study libraries by organizing proper courses whenever it is necessary. To ask the concerned specialists to prepare norms and standards for acquiring modern library technologies, taking the Saudi situation into consideration. These norms and standards should be applied at all libraries of high educational institutions.