Abstract
Describes the various technological and social requirements for planning the electronic library. These requirements include the LAN and the client-server architecture, facilities for storage and access, facilities for archiving digital information, establishing priorities in building the network information resources, introducing the necessary changes in library organization and services, and providing a comprehensive user training program. A literature review outlines the advantages of the electronic library over the traditional library, and highlights the contributions of the US Federal agencies and private foundations in advancing the electronic library through funding digital research projects. Suggests guidelines for building the electronic library in the Arabian Gulf region and concludes with recommendations for the Arabian Gulf libraries to take advantage of the availability of the information networking technology in creating their electronic libraries.