English abstract
The main objective of this study is to explore the role of academic libraries in promoting intellectual security in Omani Universities. It also focuses on the reflection of this role in the awareness of the employees of these libraries regarding the concept of intellectual security as well as its dimensions, activities, programs and services provided by it in order to
promote intellectual security, besides tools and methods used to avoid barriers that could prevent libraries in their roles.
The study used a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative approach and was conducted in two phases. The first phase was applying the form of reviewing the concepts of intellectual security to the library staff in order to measure the extent of their awareness of intellectual security term and its dimensions. They were 71 employees and the response rate was
84.5%. The second phase was based on semi- structured interviews, and the study population include libraries' managers who work in these academic libraries. Overall, the results of the study indicate that there is a high awareness among academic library staff of the concepts linked to intellectual security, information science in particular, and the concepts of intellectual security in
general. Moreover, it was illustrated that the libraries, the study population, address their messages related to the promoting of intellectual security through a range of services, activities and programs. With respect to the services provided on this aspect, they were in the service of collections building and development, training service as well as development consulting
service. Turning to the activities and programs, they involved holding courses and workshops, providing support in several fields such as; curricula, courses, panel discussions, intellectual activities related to reading and education as well as controlling the open internet in the libraries. Furthermore, it has been found that one of the tools and methods that these libraries rely on for the purpose of implementing their activities, programs and services in this framework are networks and applications of social media, official sites of libraries and e-mails. Eventually, the results indicated that one of the challenges facing these
libraries in promoting intellectual security is the lack of human recourses and rehabilitation in addition to the lack of financial resources, intellectual and cultural contribution tools, and information revolution. The study came up with a set of recommendations, the most important of which is that competent state authorities must consider establishment of
legislations and written codified policies related to intellectual security. This must be with clarifying the necessary executive procedures. Additionally, academic libraries must contribute in holding conferences that take intellectual security as the centerpiece of discussion, and to invest the characteristics of social media efficiently.
