Developing a CD-ROM service in Saudi Arabia: some lessons for developing countries

Discusses the first-hand experience of the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) Library in Saudi Arabia in setting up and developing a public access CD-ROM service. The article firstly gives brief background information on the University and the Library. This is followed by a discussion of the rationale for embrac ing CD-ROM. Then, the KFUPM Library CD-ROM system components are considered under hardware, software, databases and local area network. The other aspects of the CD-ROM service discussed include: organisation and staffing, including CD-ROM search policy; publicity and end-user education; impact on services and resources, and the future direction. Finally, drawing on the KFUPM Library experience, the article advances suggestions on developing a CD-ROM service in developing countries.