Electronic Publishing and Its Impact on Libraries, Information, and Documentation: An Applied Study on Yarmouk University Library in Jordan

Abstract

This study discusses electronic publishing and its impact on libraries, information, and documentation, with an applied focus on Yarmouk University Library in Jordan. It examines how information and communication technologies have transformed the production, organization, dissemination, and retrieval of knowledge, and how these changes have affected library services, documentation practices, and access to information resources. The study addresses the concept, forms, tools, advantages, and challenges of electronic publishing, including intellectual property issues, cost, technological infrastructure, staff training, and access to electronic resources. It also highlights the role of databases, CD-ROMs, electronic journals, automated catalogues, and information networks in developing library and research services. The applied case of Yarmouk University Library demonstrates the importance of electronic publishing in supporting higher education and scientific research through faster and more flexible access to digital information sources. The study concludes that electronic publishing has become a major factor in modernizing libraries and information centers, and that effective use of it requires technological development, staff qualification, organized access to electronic resources, and clear policies for digital information management.