University Library Practices in Developing Countries

Dr Nazir Ahmad presents an objective and penetrating analysis of operations, procedures, planning and resources of university libraries in eight Islamic countries: Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Sudan, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Nigeria. He has recorded contemporary practices, methods, and applications, thus providing an exciting contrast between the ambitious plans of prosperous university libraries and those struggling for survival. Considerable emphasis is placed on collection development policies and the planning of library buildings in tropical climates. Dr Ahmad outlines current deficiencies and problems in both the rich and the poor developing countries and offers remedial suggestions and alternatives to existing practices. He focuses on the critical areas in which foreign consultants could contribute through valuable advice and technological expertise. This book is written explicitly for information management personnel, library science students, and professional librarians in developing and developed countries. The author reviews current developments and offers guidance for improving information services. It is illustrated with diagrams, statistical tables, and plates, which depict the diversity of building designs and interior planning and organizational structures. 
 
While conducting research for this esteemed publication, Professor Dr Ahmad carried out both face-to-face and telephonic interviews with university librarians, posted questionnaires, and visited some countries to gain first-hand knowledge of academic library buildings, collections, reference services, readers advisory user education curriculums, and international cooperative ventures for borrowing and exchange of rare collections, and invaluable archives. Both the Jordanian and Malaysian professionals were extraordinarily kind and offered wholehearted support for the author’s research undertakings. They willingly permitted the use of the camera for capturing specific priceless photographs that have been included in this publication. The Qatari and Kuwaiti academics, information specialists, and intellectuals introduced the author to their ‘Readers’ Advisory Education and Learning to Learn’ comprehensive courses that helped enhance university library resources.
 
The British Book News has published a remarkably constructive review of this work, critically written by a well-known British author and Reading University Director, James Thompson