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Describes the various technological and social requirements for planning the electronic library. These requirements include the LAN and the client‐server architecture, facilities for storage and access, facilities for archiving digital information, establishing priorities in building the network information resources, introducing the necessary changes in library organization and services, and providing a comprehensive user training program. A literature review outlines the advantages of the electronic library over the traditional library, and highlights the contributions of the US Federal agencies and private foundations in advancing the electronic library through funding digital research projects. Suggests guidelines for building the electronic library in the Arabian Gulf region and concludes with recommendations for the Arabian Gulf libraries to take advantage of the availability of the information networking technology in creating their electronic libraries.

This paper provides a brief report on a study of faculty and researchers' use patterns and perceptions of CDROM services at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) Library in Saudi Arabia, as background information to measures taken as a result of the study. The main objectives of the study were to ascertain use patterns and perceptions of CDROM services: another objective was to elicit comments which would be used in developing a planning strategy to expand and enhance CDROM services. Two main methods were used in the study: CDROM search forms and a questionnaire survey. The results of the study revealed that the majority of the faculty had used CDROM services; they felt satisfied with the service but also felt that there was a strong need for user training. Several problematic areas have been identified including need for new vision CDROM hardware and software systems, publicity, user training and document delivery. The report then considers measures that have been taken to address the problematic areas and discusses how effective those remedial actions have been. The paper concludes that the KFUPM Library planned and developed user‐oriented services in response to the findings of the study, but still faces further challenges in developing a CDROM service that is fully integrated with other electronic resources and services.

Bibliographic applications require special software capabilities if they are to provide the flexibility necessary for creating textual databases. Many specialised computer programs have been developed to facilitate bibliographic information processing. Saffady's survey of selected software in 1984 and a more recent survey carried out by Bridge in 1991 list more than 26 bibliographic application packages in use in different information agencies. However, not many programs are suitable for managing bi‐lingual applications, particularly in the processing of data in Arabic. Ashoor, Aman, and Salem have discussed in detail the problems of absence of a unified code, limitations of data input and output, and other problems related to computer terminals which have affected the development of bi‐lingual software.

This paper provides functional performance data drawn from an analysis of the capabilities and functionality of three major library automation systems – HORIZON, INNOPAC and VTLS. The assessment was based on vendor input as well as on feedback from libraries of different types from different parts of the world. Objective criteria based on a numerical scoring scheme was used to assess system performance in six major functional areas: acquisition, cataloguing, circulation, public access catalogue, reference and information services and serials control. The functional performance data is expected to be useful for libraries looking for new systems as well as those already computerised and interested in enhancing their present systems. In addition, data on the extent of the utilisation of system capabilities by libraries should also be of interest to system vendors.

This paper reports the results of a comparative study of the suitability of DOBIS/LIBIS and MINISIS for library applications. Evaluation of the systems against locally developed criteria have indicated great potential for handling all major library functions including Arabisation. The study has shown that DOBIS/LIBIS scored higher in circulation and periodical control, while MINISIS scored higher in cataloguing and OPAC functions. Further, DOBIS/LIBIS' support services and MINISIS' documentation require considerable enhancements. The authors conclude that DOBIS/LIBIS seems to be more suitable for large academic libraries, with access to the mainframe computer and adequate data processing staff. MINISIS in the meantime, may be a better choice for special libraries and information centres interested in SDI, indexing services, etc. which want to use mini or microcomputers.

The Arabian Gulf Chapter of the Special Libraries Association (AGC/SLA) was founded in 1992 with the objectives of communicating, disseminating and using information effectively in the area which covers Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. AGC/SLA provides one of the main channels of communication for professional librarians and information scientists in the area and membership comprises staff working in academic, medical, school, governmental and industrial libraries, as well as ‘recreational librarians’ who serve the large, and predominantly ‘ex‐pat’ community, of Aramco in Saudi Arabia, many of whom are working in the oil industry.

This paper seeks to provide an overview of information literacy (IL) from a global prospective, to highlight problems facing developing countries in initiating IL programs, and state the trends of IL, with a focus on the development of IL programs at KFUPM.

A general review and survey of current development areas.

IL, which is a resource‐based mode of education, has created a greater need to teach students the skills of accessing and evaluating appropriate information resources and use them effectively.

This paper provides an overview of IL from a global prospective.

The paper begins with a brief history of library automation and the implementation of DOBIS/LIBIS at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Library. It also discusses the management aspects of the automation project including the composition of the project management teams, the roles of the Project Manager and the Library Systems Analyst and the relationship between the Library and the Data Processing Center as two major partners of the project. The paper also highlights the limitation of the Systems Office in the absence of full‐time staff and suggests that library automation must be managed just as other activities are managed.

The paper gives an account of the implementation of DOBIS/LIBIS at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Library in Saudi Arabia during the period from 1981 to 1991. The local modifications and enhancements made to DOBIS programs to improve the functioning of various subsystems are described, as well as details of how DOBIS/LIBIS processes Arabic information.

This paper presents an overview of the development of electronic resources at the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Library. It will highlight KFUPM Library experiences in developing these electronic resources, which were essentially provided as an alternative/supplement to the print and microform collection, in order to satisfy the information needs with greater speed, accuracy and efficiency. The paper will also highlight the use of the KFUPM Library Web site and Internet to enhance the library collection, expand services, and improve operations to provide access to a growing array of internal and external electronic resources. Finally, the authors wish to share their experiences particularly with the library professionals of the Arabian Gulf region.