In his opening remarks at the BCSR E-Library launch, H.E. Dr. Mohammed J. K. Alghatam, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of BCSR, welcomed invited guests and dignatories to the launch and stressed the importance of knowledge and the transfer of knowledge. Dr. Alghatam emphasized that the tools used for the acquisition and transfer of knowledge and science have undergone major changes in recent years. Yet the book, the traditional source of knowledge, has faced many challenges, including the cost of its production, its transportation and distribution, storage, and classification. As a consequence, the storage and retrieval of books has entered a new phase, with the development of electronic libraries.
"The development of E-Libraries" explained Dr. Alghatam "means that the physical distance between the book publisher and the book buyer no longer exists, and that the physical distance between the library as an entity and the library user has been diminished. Books are now accessible online and available to more people, as part of the recent Information Revolution."
Dr. Alghatam added that "the digital gap is one of the most important issues in developed and developing countries today. It is an obstacle to knowledge and science and results in ignorance". As a result, "Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research has been working to keep pace with sustainable development and change to bridge this digital gap". Dr. Alghatam further stated that "the decision to establish an E-library represents a new departure and an important stage in BCSR's list of achievements in the provision of services to researchers and information seekers".
The centre's E-Library is a rich source of scientific information, containing studies and publications, which will become the first port of call for researchers and those who seek information. Dr. Alghatam added that the E-Library will enable researchers to access and download information onto their computers, thus saving time and effort. The resource is primarily for all those interested in accessing information on studies and for those who wish to find information on the Kingdom of Bahrain, or to view other publications in general. It is anticipated that the E-Library will be a reference source for information and statistics on the region, with links to other centres, regional government ministries and institutions.
In his speech, the Chairman of BCSR, encouraged researchers and scholars to make their theses and research available for inclusion in the BCSR E-Library. He also stressed the importance of the need to regularly update the E-Library with new information on scientific, political, economic and social research,
Dr. Alghatam thanked Microsoft, and stated that the E-Library was the fruit of the cooperation between BCSR and Microsoft, which had welcomed the project and supported it technically. The Chairman also thanked all those who had helped and contributed to the establishment of the E-Library.
The BCSR E-Library contains many studies undertaken by BCSR, academic theses and research undertaken by Bahraini researchers, and scientific journals published by the centre, including the Journal of Strategic Studies and the Arab Journal of Food and Nutrition. The E-Library also contains audio recordings of the scientific seminars organized by the centre, political analysis bulletins, as well as research by Bahraini researchers who were awarded the Crown Prince's Award for Scientific Research.
The E-Library provides visitors with a membership service, which allows members to communicate with the E-Library team, and members will also be notified of the latest developments in the E-Library. The contents of the E-Library have been classified into eight sections in order to facilitate access to the needed information. The E-Library visitor will enjoy a quick and advanced search service, with search available by the author's name, the subject, the publication title, or the year of publication. The E-Library is available through the BCSR website www.bcsr.gov.bh
