Towers of learning

There is a magical realm in every higher-education institution where it is said that nerds and popular students dwell together with no barriers or walls. A place where they actually read, write and research! Miracles do happen … in libraries. These centres of knowledge are no longer just a place to dig up archives for a research paper or check out the latest news.

Libraries, which until recently were considered boring and only for bookish people with no social life, have entered the scene to become a popular hang out place of sorts for all kinds of students.

However, with the increasing number of students enrolling in universities and colleges in the UAE, how well equipped are these libraries and how far have they come to meet student requirements?

Twenty years ago, libraries in the UAE were not as popular or as many. Reminiscing on how things were in 1988, Liz Oesleby, director of library services at the American University in Dubai, said that the number of universities in Dubai back then was just two.

"I remember that the Higher Colleges of Technology had a library on its campus, while there was a public library in Deira. There were about three to four international schools and finding a western-trained librarian was a rarity," she said.

Now, however, higher-education institutions have their own libraries.

"I dislike speaking like an expert on anybody's library, but I think libraries in universities in the UAE range from inadequate to the well-equipped," said Oesleby.

Many contribute this recent library-boom to technological advances. Ali Dualeh Abdullah, head of public services at the Libraries Deanship at the UAE University, believes that "in the past 15 to 20 years, with the advancement of digital and telecommunication technologies, libraries and resources have evolved worldwide, the UAE included."

Abdullah added that all major libraries provide students with the basic physical and technological infrastructure needed.

Growing popularity of libraries

But when did it happen that libraries became a popular hang out with students?

"There is always that perception that a library is a place where you keep quiet and study," said Kathy Ray, university librarian at the American University of Sharjah. "In fact libraries are becoming noisier with increase in student numbers and group projects."

She stressed the difference, however, between the library as a hang out place and a restaurant.

"Of course there are certain limitations as the library is not the cafeteria, yet at the same time we want to encourage students to come here, do their work and have fun at the same time," Ray added.

Gill Westera, learning centre and educational technology supervisor at the Dubai Men's College, also believes that libraries have become a social place where students get to work and have fun at the same time.
Using libraries effectively.

However, as popular as libraries are becoming with students, not many know how to use their facilities and resources to their full potential.

"Not all students who come to the university have the knowledge of how to use the library. As a result, during the two weeks of orientation at the university students get to tour the facility and learn how to use it," said Ray.

The reason behind students' lack of library knowledge can be traced back to school.

"Students who have visited public libraries from an early age and learned how to use them by the time they reach high school are capable of preparing research papers and do not have a problem," said Oesleby. "The problem is with students who come from schools were libraries are inadequate. They don't know how to use the library and we should not expect them to."

Student requirements

But are our university libraries well equipped?

Notes visited a number of libraries where it had the opportunity to get a look at the facilities and resources.

The new library at the American University of Sharjah, according to Ray, is a "model of how university libraries should be."

"The library has 22 study rooms, two quiet study areas and 130 public computer stations. We also have laptops for students to use. There are over 800 seats in the library," said Ray, in addition to updated books, references, journals and online databases.

The learning centre at the Dubai Men's College has a collection of books numbering more than 36,000. "Students also have access to 20,000 online books and 150 journals. It is a laptop college so students have access to the internet anywhere they go," said Westera.

At the UAE University, the collection of electronic resources gives users access to more than 15,700 full-text journals and approximately 24,000 electronic books in full content.

"In 1999 for example, only two full-text databases were accessible via the library. Today, there are 35 prominent databases available to our users. All walk-ins can use these resources at the library, but only members of the university community are eligible to check them out. Obviously, the acquisition of big electronic resource packages has added additional resources to the library collection and saved considerable shelving space," said Abdullah.

Future of libraries

However, as advanced as the libraries in the UAE have become, a lot more needs to be done for them to be at par with internationally recognised libraries.

"A supportive administration, excellent faculty and trained staff are crucial," said Oesleby. "Networking and funding are also a must."

She added that as an educator first and a librarian second she believes that the role of librarians goes beyond "keeping the books tidy". "We are here to help in the education process. There is a need for collaboration between librarians, faculty members and students who can provide feedback and give input to improve the education process," she said.

Ray also sees the role of libraries as a crucial "partner" in the education process.

"We are here to assist graduates and support them to keep educating themselves even after leaving college. There will always be new information out there and we want to help them keep themselves abreast of it," she said.

Library Tips
Things you need to remember when you use the library

Future of libraries

What do libraries need to do to be at par with their international counterparts? Liz Oesleby, director of library services at the American University in Dubai, said:

Raising Standards Further

What do libraries need to do to be at par with their international counterparts? Liz Oesleby, director of library services at the American University in Dubai, said:

How often do you use the library and why?

"I use it three times a week, mostly for books or the internet. There should be better equipped library in Dubai that provide more English literature."
— Faiza Hamisi, business administration, EHSAL

"At most once weekly. I'd rather sit at home on my computer for my research."
— Dwikie Pinontoan, business administration, EHSAL

"I go to the library about once a month. It's a good place that provides a lot of resources and where it's quiet so I can focus."
— Fahim Abbas, marketing human resources, EHSAL

"I go quite a lot, especially to use books or the net."
— Hiba Hussain, marketing, University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)

"I use the library quite often, about once a week. I usually go to look up newspapers or books for assignments."
— Mohammas Sajid, BBA, UOWD

"I usually go the library for books or resources. Generally I don't go that often."
— Mashihur Rahman, BBA, UOWD

"It doesn't have enough computers and should stay open for 24 hours a day."
—Damoun Makarem, marketing, AUD

"All the databases are very difficult to use. More datebases relating to fields other than business are needed."
—Mohammad Zohaib Abid, management, AUD

"It is very small and we need more books and resources."
— Kamelia Bayat, marketing and advertising, AUD

"Our library is noisy making it really hard to study there. It is more of a meeting place and is very small."
— Zainab Hardwarewala, graphic design, AUD

"The working space is far too small and it gets crowded often. More copies of books are required."
— Aisha Eslam, bachelors in business administration, Mahe Manipal Dubai Campus

"We don't have enough computers and the ones that we do have are incredibly slow. We need more space."
— Rana Sajnani, marketing, AUD