Evaluation of the collections of Saudi University Libraries based on the ACRL standards

Abstract

This paper evaluates the collections of the Saudi university libraries against the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) Standards of 1986. The information gathered through questionnaires to Deans of Library Affairs to provide information on library holdings and collection development programmes reveals that library holdings of six Saudi university libraries are below the ACRL Standards. However, King Saud University Library collection has exceeded the Standards. The reasons given for the inadequate library collections of the Saudi universities are the lack of planning, absence of a collection development policy, low participation by faculty members in collection building, insufficient financial support, and the absence of inter-library loan and on-line searching facilities in some university libraries.