Information and Documentation in the Age of Globalization

Abstract

This study examines information and documentation in the age of globalization from both theoretical and field-based perspectives. It highlights the role of information technology in developing library work and supporting scientific research, while assessing the current status of services provided by public libraries and information centers in the United Arab Emirates in response to the challenges of the twenty-first century. The study discusses the concept of globalization and its relationship with information technology, emphasizing the transformations introduced by modern technologies in the production, organization, retrieval, and circulation of knowledge. It also addresses the role of public libraries in adopting automation, digitization, information networks, retrieval systems, and electronic resources to improve services for users, researchers, and readers. Using a descriptive, analytical, and field-based approach, the study investigates the present level of technological use in UAE public libraries and identifies strengths and limitations in their technical infrastructure and information services. It concludes that public libraries remain in need of deeper integration of information technology, staff development, system modernization, and broader use of digital tools in order to keep pace with rapid scientific and cultural development.