The Electronic Library

To facilitate research through the Internet and to keep users abreast of scientific and technical developments in the age of Information Technology, the Library has established the Electronic Library, which is equipped with 40 high performance Pentium IV PCs and 3 Laser printers. Users of the Electronic Library may freely use the Internet at a charge of 400 fils per hour. The Lab is also equipped with CD-ROM Drives and linked to many on-line access databases, including EBSCO Host, Dialog, etc.

Dialog Databases

The University Library subscribes to Dialog Corporation, the worldwide leader in providing online-based information services in all fields of knowledge. The Dialog Information Service includes more than 900 databases that contain over 800 million unique records of key information, accessible via the Internet. Dialog covers various topics of information such as intellectual property, government regulations, social sciences, food and agriculture, business and finance, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, science and information technology, medicine, engineering, law, literature, etc.

To take advantage of the databases' fullest potential, the Library has prepared a special "Inquiry Sheet" for the use of teaching staff inside and outside the University Campus.

EBSCO HOST Databases

Philadelphia University Library is also subscribing to the following online databases through EBSCO HOST:

• MAS Ultra - School Edition
• Health Source: Consumer Edition
• Newspaper Source
• Professional Development Collection
• ERIC
• TOPICsearch

The on-line access is available to all students, research workers, and staff members at the University Campus through the following web address: http://search.epnet.com The Library holds short training courses for both students and teachers at the beginning of every academic semester. Such courses usually cover Internet, Library Online Catalogues and electronic databases available in the Library.

Many lectures take place in the Electronic Library to discuss the use of the Internet in some academic courses such as Networks Administration, Accounting, and Library & Information Science.

The Library produces CDs and Disks containing the Electronic Resources to many specializations at the University, such as Pharmacy, Nursing, Computer Science, etc. These CDs are updated regularly and new journal titles and resources are added and distributed to all the Departments concerned.

Library Information Services

To keep the University Staff abreast of new trends in their particular fields, and to provide them with up-dated information on new publications, journals, research works, etc., the Library issues the following information bulletins on a regular basis:

1. Acquisition Lists. These are issued regularly in both Arabic and English and include publications received by the Library each month.
2. Current Awareness of Current Periodicals. This is a biweekly bulletin that includes a table of contents of periodicals received each month, for both Arabic and English periodicals.
3. Subject Bibliographical Lists. These lists include all publications available at the Library that are related to a specific topic and are prepared upon the request of the Deans of Faculties, Heads of Sections, or the Academic Staff.

All Information bulletins are distributed to different University Faculties and Departments.