Central Library

First: Overview of the Division

The Computer Systems Division is a vital part of the Central Library at the University of Mosul. It is dedicated to leveraging information and communications technology (ICT) to enhance library procedures and services. The division contributes significantly to facilitating access to, organizing, and preserving knowledge resources through the latest digital tools.

This division includes a specialized unit focused on building an advanced digital library that serves students and researchers both within and beyond the university.

 

Second: Divisions’ Tasks

The Computer Systems Division is responsible for a set of essential tasks, including:

Managing and operating electronic library systems .-

Organizing and providing access to electronic theses and dissertations .-

Managing the university libraries’ digital repository .-

Overseeing and updating the library’s official website .-

Implementing electronic archiving and digitization projects .-

Providing technical support and email services for users .-

 

Third: Provision of Electronic Resources

The division aims to provide access to digital versions of scientific and literary materials, particularly those that are rare or expensive. These resources support students and researchers by offering up-to-date knowledge across disciplines .

Established in 2004 with modest resources, the electronic resources unit has grown significantly due to the efforts of both technical and administrative staff. It now includes thousands of titles across fields such as politics, economics, geography, literature, agriculture, medicine, engineering, and science. These resources are available in various formats (Word, PDF, E-Book) and are assigned specific identifiers in the electronic catalog for easier search by topic or author .

Electronic resources are provided through a non-return borrowing service, where books and research materials are sent directly to the user’s email or copied onto their storage devices. The division also manages the central library email, responds to user inquiries, and fulfills requests through official communication channels .

To enhance digital services, the library is working to make high-quality scientific sources and academic references more accessible. This includes providing access to electronic journals and periodicals from reputable international publishers such as Springer Nature, Research4Life, and JSTOR. These efforts are part of the university’s broader initiative to support an integrated research environment and ensure that researchers have access to reliable and internationally accredited sources .

 

Fourth: Electronic Theses and Dissertations

 

This unit holds master’s and doctoral theses completed at the University of Mosul and other Iraqi universities. These are stored on laser discs (CDs) and indexed using computerized catalogs, making it easier for postgraduate students and researchers to locate and utilize them .

The division also issues a semi-annual bulletin summarizing the abstracts of new theses and dissertations, which is distributed to Iraqi universities to promote academic exchange and collaboration .

 

Fifth: Library Website

The Computer Systems Division is responsible for managing and coordinating the official website of the Central Library. This includes content updates, news postings, and clear presentation of the services offered. A designated liaison oversees technical coordination with relevant university departments to ensure that the site remains modern, comprehensive, and reflective of the library’s activities .

 

Sixth: Electronic Archiving and Digitization Unit

This unit focuses on preserving documents and converting them from physical to digital formats, ensuring easier access and protection from deterioration or loss .

Key responsibilities include:

Document collection and sorting: Identifying materials for archiving and organizing them based on defined criteria-

Digitization: Scanning documents and converting them into high-quality digital files-

Information security: Storing digital copies in secure systems with regular backup protocols

Database management: Organizing digitized files into systems that support easy search and retrieval-

User access: Allowing users to view digital documents under approved usage policies

The digitization process involves several stages. It begins with scanning via the VScan device, followed by saving files in PDF format. These files are then processed through Photoshop for quality enhancement. In the final stage, the digital content is uploaded to the Central Library’s digital repository, making it accessible through the internet or internal networks .

A unified digital repository has been established for all libraries at the University of Mosul. It houses, organizes, and provides access to all digital theses and dissertations completed at the university. This repository serves as an integrated scientific reference, supporting postgraduate research and aligning with global repository systems to strengthen the university’s academic standing.