Information Technology in Public Libraries in Kuwait: A First Study

Abstract

A B ST R AC TThis study examines the availability and use of information technology in public libraries in Kuwait. Speci¢c areas addressed are (1) hardware/software, (2) patterns of connectivity such as LANs, Internet, etc., (3) training and development activities in support of information technology, and (4) future projections regarding the use of information technology. The study provides policy-makers and information professionals with previously unavailable baseline data concerning the use of computers and access to telecommunications networks in public libraries in Kuwait. A questionnaire sent to all public libraries (N = 25) yielded a 92% response. Interviews with libraries' administrators and authorities were also undertaken to gather additional data. The results of the study reveal that many information technology inequalities exist among the libraries. Only eight libraries make use of computers and 15 are without any type of IT-related technology. The study shows that few libraries have connectivity, limited use of applications, and the implementation of an automated library system are slow moving. Factors impeding the development of information technology are planning, funding, human resources, and building structure. Recommendations are made with the intention to encourage the public library sector and information professionals in Kuwait to take a proactive position in overcoming the forces that hinder the development of IT.

Factors Underlying Technology Adoption in Academic Libraries in Kuwait

“…Indeed a number of scholars have acknowledged that the technological situation of libraries in the Gulf as a whole is under-researched (Boumarafi, 1996;Qari, 1998;Al-Qallaf & Al-Azmi, 2002). Anwar and Al-Ansari (2002) and Rehman and Al-Ansari (2003) argue that the underlying reason is that faculty members of librarianship departments in the Gulf region are not very productive in their publications in the English language and very little of their output has been accepted in well regarded LIS journals.…”

Application of information and communication technologies in special libraries in Kuwait

“…Ten of the 25 libraries use the Horizon library system and have strong vendor support in Kuwait. Reasons for selecting Horizon include: “The system is completely Arabized, supports both Roman and Arabic scripts; known reputation of the vendor; system has been time tested in the region (Saudi Arabia); and availability of local technical support.” (Al‐Qallaf and Al‐Azmi, 2002, p. 298).…”

Electronic Document Delivery in Academic and Research Organizations in the Gulf States: a case study in Kuwait

“…It is, however, fair to say that the Arabicspeaking communities are not yet as well served by these developments as the English-speaking world, probably because the skills required are not widely available. Electronic publishing seems not to have appealed to the scholarly community in the Arab and Middle Eastern society, and remains in a dormant state (Nasser and Abouchedid, 2001), and there continues to be a shortage of full-text information resources on CD-ROM or online in Arabic (Al-Qallaf and Al-Azmi, 2002).…”