The University of Bahrain Library aims to become a centre of excellence that supports and promotes high academic standards in undergraduate and postgraduate courses and in research. Established in 1986, the University of Bahrain emerged from two separate institutions, The Gulf Polytechnic and The University College of Arts, Sciences, and Education. The Sakhir campus is located just 15 minutes driv
e south of the Isa Town campus. The Library strives to promote high academic standards among undergraduate and graduate courses and university researchers by providing relevant collections and services. The University of Bahrain Library is made up of four libraries and a number of specialised branch libraries:
The Central Library, at the Sakhir campus, serves the staff and students of the Colleges of Business, Arts, the Bahrain Teachers College and the English Language Centre. The Engineering Library at the Isa Town campus accommodates materials and services to support the College of Engineering. The Science and Information Technology Library, at Sakhir campus, accommodates materials and services to support the Colleges of Science and Information Technology and the College of Applied Studies. The Law Library provides materials and services to the College of Law. Specialized branch libraries include the American Studies Centre Library, the French Studies Centre Library, the Japanese Studies Centre Library, the German Studies Centre Library, English Language Centre and the Centre for Transport and Road Studies Library. The Library’s organizational structure includes the following divisions:
Library Services Division
Technical Services Division
Library Systems Division
Library Instruction Division
Library Services
Circulation Unit
The Circulation Unit manages lending, re-shelving, and borrower enrollment. Information Unit
This Unit is responsible for providing user assistance in identifying appropriate library resources, formulating research strategies, answering general and in-depth questions, and providing instruction on library resources. Special Collections Unit
The Special Collections Unit contains materials that focus on the countries of the Arab world with a primary focus on Bahrain. Materials are collected, in Arabic and other languages, from international organizations, governments and research centers. The Special Collections Unit includes publications from the University of Bahrain, the Arab League, the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other regional and international institutions. This unit also collects theses and dissertations of students and faculty of the University of Bahrain. Materials in Special Collections are for reference only and may not be checked out of the library. Periodicals Unit
The Periodicals Unit provides assistance to students, faculty and staff who are in need of the most current research available in the periodical literature. The department maintains a collection of periodical titles from a vast number of academic disciplines. Technical Services
Cataloguing Unit
The Cataloguing Unit processes several hundred items in many different formats and languages each month. Every item receives a catalogue record in the online catalogue that accurately describes the items and reflects its subject content. Acquisitions Unit
The Acquisitions Unit is responsible for acquiring all of the library materials contained in the University of Bahrain Libraries. Among the tasks of the unit is the management of orders, and the processing of invoices. Library Systems Division
The Library Systems Division coordinates the library's technology-based services, including their development, operation and maintenance. It manages the Library system catalogue, the various IT services in the library, and the digital library site. Library Instruction Division
The Library Instruction Division works with students and faculty to identify and use information resources needed for learning. With special attention to advancing users’ information literacy skills, the division provides a variety of services. Teaching one-on-one and group information literacy sessions, developing instructional materials and advocating for information literacy are all part of the Library’s Information Literacy Program.
