Third Conference of Council of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists (COMLIS III) Istanbul, Turkey Shawwal/21-23, 1409/May 24-26, 1989

Abstract

Istanbul, the seat of the Ottoman Caliphate, was the site of the third
meeting of The Council of Muslim Librarians and Information Scientists
at Ataturk Cultural Center in the heart of the city. COMLIS, as the acronym
implies, is the international professional organization of librarians from Muslim
countries and communities, as well as those involved in librarianship in general.
At its third meeting seven sessions were held during which a total of 28 papers
were delivered. In addition, 48 papers were submitted and included in the
published preliminary volume of proceedings of this congress. The seven
sessions were titled: The International Muslim Information Network: A
Conceptual Framework; Networking Models; Systems Interconnection and
Networks; Compatibility and Standardization; Establishing Centers of
Excellence in the Muslim World; Telecommunication Requirements, and;
Library Cooperation. All of the papers very neatly fitted the theme of the
congress, namely "Planning an Information Strategy for the Muslim World."
That the congress wa,; held under the auspices of the Turkish Ministry of
Culture's Directorate of Libraries and Publications was particularly heartening,
for it symbolizes another signal of Turkey's reentry into the mainstream of
Muslim nations and communities. The arrangements of the conference were
methodical and simultaneous translations of presentations between languages
were provided .
Most of the papers concentrated on what is desirable in areas of
international cooperation, avoidance of duplication of research, standardization
in library technology, and bi bliographical practices. No one questions these
pious aspirations, but one must go beyond what is desirable to examine what
presently exists, and how librarianship and its associated functions can be
improved. In one of the sessions many participants addressed these very
questions, and indeed made some very sound and practical suggestions. At
least two papers-that of Muhammad Ali al-Tasan and Abdussattar Chaudhriboth
librarians in Saudi Arabia dealt with practical issues in librarianship
as encountered in their institutions. The conclusion one may draw from this
particular session was that national economic and political considerations
are a big hindrance in the way of library cooperation. Librarians on their ...