Healthcare libraries in Saudi Arabia: analysis and recommendations

摘要

Purpose - The paper aims to gam a detailed understanding of the current health library/informationrnenvironment in Saudi Arabia, to identify problems, issues, and areas for improvement, to makernrecommendations for improvement, and to instantiate these in models and prototypes.rnDesign/methodology/approach - A mixed method empirical approach is used in 11 healthrnlibraries, including literature survey, institutional profiling, questionnaire, interviews,rnnon-participant observation, and examination of documents. A model for supporting changernmanagement in Saudi health libraries is proposed, and a prototype for a Saudi Health InformationrnNetwork is developed.rnFindings - The healthcare libraries are well-used, and appreciated by their users, and the staff arerngenerally satisfied with their work. Problems and issues are identified: use of informationrncommunication technologies and digital resources; lack of proactive information services; education,rntraining and continuing professional development for health library work; limited strategic planningrnand policy for these services. Recommendations are made for improvements.rnResearch limitations/implications - The empirical research is limited to health sciences librariesrnin Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The prototype health information network has not beenrnevaluated by users.rnPractical implications - Recommendations are made to enable the government of Saudi Arabiarnand its various agencies to support improvements in the existing health sciences libraries andrninformation provision.rnOriginality/value - This is a detailed study of the health library environment in Saudi Arabia,rnillustrating factors typical of the situation in many other countries. The paper outlines a novelrnorganisational change model and prototype national health information network.