Information Policies in Saudi Arabia and Malaysia

Abstract

Policy documents of Saudi Arabia and Malaysia were reviewed to examine provisions for library and information services and the role of libraries in formulating and implementing national policies. In Saudi Arabia, scattered legislative provisions need to be integrated into a unified policy and the involvement of libraries needs to be institutionalized for the effective development of an information infrastructure. The Malaysian experience of establishing an integrated national policy by involving professionals from universities and other important sectors and implementing information programmes through the National Library has been very successful in developing an appropriate system. This approach may provide a model for other developing countries for an appropriate policy framework and the development of services for effective utilization of national information resources.