| The purpose of the first stage of this study was to formulate global standards for undergraduate library and information science programs in the developing countries. This was accomplished by surveying an international panel of 64 individuals in 39 countries who were expert in education for library and information specialists. Fifty (78%) usable questionnaires from 34 countries were returned.; The questionnaires contained 147 proposed statements grouped in 14 standards covering locus, goals, general and specific objectives, administration, financial support, physical facilities, library, faculty, staff, curriculum, continuing education, admission of students, and completion requirements. Of the 147 statements, 123 (83.7%) obtained a mean score of 4.0 or higher, allowing them to be accepted as standards.; These standards were then used in the second stage of the study to determine the current status of the Library and Information Science program at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait, the adequacy of the library and information science curriculum in that program, and how the program deals with new developments in the field.; A case study methodology was selected for the second stage. Research data were collected on site through document examination, interviews, and observation.; According to the study findings, the Library and Information Science program met only two of the 14 standards: Locus and Completion Requirements. The number and content of the courses in the curriculum were not sufficient to graduate qualified librarians. The curriculum lacks topics that deal with specialization and information technology. The curriculum content is old and out of date and does not conform to the modern approach to library and information sciences. |
