The Electronic Reality of Public Libraries in the United Arab Emirates

Abstract

This research paper examines the electronic reality of public libraries in the United Arab Emirates in light of their movement toward modern technologies and online service provision. It begins by emphasizing the importance of library websites in supporting services and facilitating user access to information. The paper then reviews several existing online models, including the websites of Sharjah Public Library and its branches, Dubai Municipality libraries, Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Mahmood Library, libraries affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, Dar Al Kutub, Juma Al Majid Center, and the Islamic Forum in Sharjah. It identifies clear variation among these websites in terms of catalog quality, link maintenance, service presentation, interaction with users, and the availability of searchable catalogs or databases. The paper reports that only a limited proportion of public libraries have active electronic presence, while many others remain absent from the web or provide non-interactive online services. It stresses the need to adopt total quality management, update websites continuously, train information specialists, employ second-generation web technologies, and establish a unified national library catalog that links collections through a single electronic search interface. The paper concludes that improving the electronic presence of public libraries in the UAE is essential for enhancing access, supporting cooperation, and serving users effectively in the digital environment.