Library and information work in Egypt: perspective of a volunteer working in Assiut

Abstract

Personal experiences of the author whilst working as a Libraries Coordinator in the libraries of the Faculty of Science, Assiut University are discussed. Difficulties and shared prob lems faced by volunteer libranans are described which include: staffing, library stock, library building, library usage, cooper ation and status of library work. A brief history of volunteer input to the Faculty of Science is given with special reference to the years 1986-88, when the author was involved.

Problems relating to research work in Egypt, again with reference to experience in Assiut, are described. The work of the National Information System (ENSTINET) and its various information nodes, especially NIDOC, is also described. The work of other library and information centres (American Uni versity Library, Cairo University Department of Librananship, the National Library and the British Council) is briefly de scribed and compared to development in Assiut.

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