The perception and administrative effect of Internet usage in Jordanian university libraries

Abstract

Reviews the extent of Internet utilisation in Jordanian university libraries. Discusses: its use, benefits, services, and applications; the effect on acquisitions, the libraries’ organisational structure, administration, cost, and services; problems and solutions. The study investigated 13 libraries linked to the Internet. They employ it for technical functions, information services, and Web pages. Head librarians perceive the Internet as a supplement to libraries’ collections, as a substitute for databases on CD‐ROMs, and a way of saving on subscription charges for printed journals, but not as a replacement for printed books. They perceive the Internet’s main administrative effect is on staff’s satisfaction, motives, speed and ease of services, users’ satisfaction, and turnouts, but it has the least effect on libraries’ budgets. Lack of experience, misconceptions about the Internet, misuse of Web sites, information inauthenticity, censorship, copyright, insufficient high quality terminals, and language problems are, inter alia, prime reasons limiting the optimal use of the Internet.