Concept

Information is to an increasing degree based on the use of electronic tools. This development opens new possibilities for users and creates new responsibilities for libraries as information providers. In the past, Middle Eastern and Islamic collections have not been supported by funding bodies in building up tools for providing electronic information for their users in a manner comparabale to other institutions, for example, in technology or life sciences. In order to satisfy information needs of their users, libraries and collections have to coordinate their limited capacities to create electronic tools for making available information on their subjects. The creation of a virtual library is an important step towards achieving this goal.
A virtual library depends on the cooperation of a multitude of institutions but needs at the same time a coordinating institution. In October 2000, the University and State Library Saxony-Anhalt, Halle started a project that aims at coordinating activities of electronic information regarding Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies and at laying the foundation for a Virtual Library Middle East / North Africa. The project is sponsored by the DFG.

Aims and scope