About the Main Library

Since 1986, the Main Library at Sultan Qaboos University has supported teaching, learning, and research while extending its services to the wider community in Oman.

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A Leading Academic Library

The Main Library is the largest library in the Sultanate in terms of space, collections, and number of users, and continues to evolve to meet changing academic and community needs.

Established

1986

Founded with the University

New Building

2009

Modern facilities and systems

Position

Leading

Academic library in Oman

Introduction

Our Story

The Main Library was established in 1986 alongside Sultan Qaboos University. It is the largest library in the Sultanate in terms of space, collection size, and number of users.

As an academic library, it was created to support the teaching, learning, and research programs of the university. At the same time, it has extended its services beyond the university community by offering library memberships to citizens and residents in Oman.

Since its establishment, the library has continuously worked to improve its services by following international standards, despite the annual growth in the number of users.

In 2009, the library moved to a new building equipped with modern systems and programs to respond to developments in communication, information, and digital services.

From this perspective, the library has remained committed to continuous development by regularly reviewing and updating its collections, policies, and procedures in order to meet users’ evolving needs.

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Vision

The Library aspires to excellence and leadership in the field, to have a positive intellectual influence on the community, and to advance toward the ranks of leading academic libraries through distinguished information resources and services.

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Mission

To provide a comprehensive and balanced range of high-quality information resources that support the academic, educational, and research needs of the university community and the wider Omani community through the collection, organization, arrangement, and facilitation of access to information resources.

Values

What We Stand For

The Main Library embraces the values of librarianship and the university, fostering a welcoming and resource-rich environment for learning, research, creativity, and innovation.

Excellence

Promoting the highest standards and exceeding expectations in quality and distinction.

Loyalty

Demonstrating commitment to the university, students, faculty, and staff.

Integrity

Showing honesty and fairness in words and actions.

Credibility

Providing expertise in identifying, interpreting, and using credible scholarly information resources.

Equity

Ensuring fair and unrestricted access to resources, programs, and services for a diverse community.

Collegiality

Believing in shared decision-making and productive collaboration among all university members.

Collaboration & Teamwork

Working together to enrich research, learning, and institutional development.

Professionalism

Supporting high-quality services through qualified and professional staff.

Quality

Adhering to the highest standards of service, safety, and efficiency.

Objectives

Our Strategic Objectives

The Library contributes to achieving the university’s aspirations through the following objectives:

Selecting, collecting, organizing, and maintaining print and electronic information resources and facilitating access to them.
Developing and updating library collections in both print and electronic formats.
Analyzing and evaluating users’ needs to provide better services.
Defining and measuring outcomes in line with the university’s vision and mission.
Providing a supportive reading and learning environment for students, faculty, and staff.
Developing library staff knowledge and skills.
Raising information literacy standards among students, faculty, and staff.
Participating in community service through direct engagement and technical advice for similar institutions.
Ensuring service quality according to international standards.