Embracing the Internet: the changing role of public libraries in the Muslim world

Abstract

Embracing the Internet in public libraries in the Muslim world will create an environment that is constantly changing the role of public libraries in information access, utilization, and delivery. Public libraries can use the avenue to provide services to their users that were previously impossible. New trends in the computer technology are allowing public libraries in the Muslim world to do old things with more efficient and effective tools. Embracing the Internet technology in the affairs and services of the public libraries in the Muslim world will create a new form of communication, interlibrary loan and cooperation among libraries, resources sharing and it will allow one library to take advantage of the other, since no library can be independent with its resources. This paper attempt to describe the advantages that public libraries will benefit by embracing the internet; the paper will also highlights the problems and challenges that are facing the development of public libraries and information provision in the Muslim world. Possible solutions, way forward and recommendations will also be provided.