دور المكتبات العامة في تنمية ثقافة الطفل : دراسة ميدانية على مكتبات الأطفال بسلطنة عمان

Abstract EN

The study aimed at identifying the cultural and educational role of children's libraries in the Sultanate of Oman through the services and activity programs that they provide, and the obstacles they face, and thus it is considered an added contribution to child culture development in Oman.

The research focused only on children libraries in Muscat Governorate (Qaboos Grand Mosque Library, and the Library of Knowledge Public Library, and Galieesi Kitabi Center Library).

The researcher adopted the descriptive and analytical methodology, based on the survey method, using the following tools collect his data: interview, questionnaire, and observation.

The study revealed the following results:• All children's libraries are located in the ground floor, except Galieesi Kitabi Library, which was designed in three floors.

• The results show the diversity in the information services provided by these libraries for children, in the meantime the study shows that the number of services provided in the range of 6-8 services.

The highest number of the services offered reached (8) by Galieesi Kitabi Center Library, followed by Public Knowledge Library (7), and finally Qaboos Grand Mosque Library in third place offers about 6 services only.

• The results show the diverse activities and programs offered by these libraries, and shows how great convergence in a number of activities and programs offered by both Galieesi Kitabi Center Library and Knowledge Public Library between (6-8) programs and activities, while came wide divergence between them and the Qaboos Grand Mosque Library, where they offer only (2) activities and programs.

• The results show diverse inter-organizational cooperation between these libraries and other institutions like organizing school visits, establishment of cultural days, cultural competitions.

The cooperation with schools has occupied a large area in all libraries.

• The librarians are facing some difficulties in dealing with children including due to the occurrence of riots among children, and non-compliance with rules and regulations, tearing some library collections and the difficulty in expressing their needs.

• The study conceived for the advancement and development of children's libraries in the Sultanate of Oman • In light of these results the study recommended to activate the services and programs in children's libraries, in order to motivate and encourage children to go to libraries, such as a focus on drawing, painting and storytelling and summarize them.

Create and and design Websites dealing with children's, and to develop an educational Web-based programs.