Cataloging challenges center around transliteration systems, a marked dependency by more and more institutions on copy cataloging, and a shift from relying on expert catalogers to the growing use of student workers. Few understand the way the materials are made accessible. Transliteration standards need to be upheld, but they are not altogether intuitive-even to a native speaker. Though the very basic rules of transliteration can be taught rather quickly to persons with some foreknowledge of the language at hand, the finer nuances might be fully conquered by a select few who are truly dedicated to delivering immaculate bibliographic content. The best solutions here are to hire wisely, follow only one transliteration system, train thoroughly, and reward error-free work.

The future of Middle East collections remains a paper-dependent one. Nothing in Arabic, Persian or Turkish arrives shelf ready, nor is this likely to change anytime soon. The reality of foreign language collecting is that technical advances in foreign book publishing and preparation for the shelf were not developing apace to those of English language texts.

Many Middle East collections contain mixed media in among the texts. A system does not seem to exist that efficiently links a language book, for instance, with its taped drills so that the two do not need to be kept on the same shelf in the dingy basement or back room that the collection occupies. Middle East librarians need to forge stronger ties with their associates in the rare books or media center sectors of the library so these items could be stored with like objects under correct lighting and temperatures. Ties with the rare book sector would also give the Middle East Library a secure repository for its most valuable items. Many Middle East collections in this country are maintained in deplorably inconvenient and insecure spaces.

Many of the challenges faced by Middle East librarians arise in those distant lands from which materials come. Censorship is an issue. Books are usually censored upon publishing, but the censors can change their minds…. Once, 500 books were already shipped by Layla Books of Egypt when the censors changed their minds. They actually wanted Layla Books to get each one back. In other instances, Layla Books has purchased hefty numbers of books to be told only at the point of final shipping inspection that they could not be exported. It is a frustrating fact that each title must be cleared for export by no less than three agencies; the government, al-Azhar leaders, and customs officials. It is not uncommon for individuals in these offices to request bribes to move the paperwork and books along (Fawzi).

Many Middle Eastern printers still use dated machinery and/or rush the process of printing and binding. Books with missing pages, blank pages or loose bindings result. After a number of complaints from U.S. libraries, an investigation showed that 10 percent of books are flawed with blank pages. Another six percent suffer from poor printing: smudged pages, ink too faint, …etc. Consequently, Layla Books has had to hire a full-time page turner to examine each book (Fawzi). It is important Middle East collection librarians examine what they receive, report incomplete invoices, and pay in a timely manner to reimburse the book jobber's up-front investment.

In sum, Middle East and other special collections librarians can do many things to help improve their image in their institutions and gain respect. Librarians need to:

References

Fawzi, George. "Layla Books: A Day in the Life."; MELA Panel presentation notes. Panel: Middle East Libraries: Building and Maintaining Collections. Middle East Studies Association Conference. November 19, 2001. San Francisco, California.

Hardy, Charles. Understanding Organizations. 4th. ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993.

Straley, Dona S. "Mid East Collections at State Institutions: The Joys and Challenges." The University of Ohio Library. Panel: Middle East Libraries: Building and Maintaining Collections. Middle East Studies Association Conference. November 19, 2001. San Francisco, California.

Weinberger, James. Princeton University. MELA Panel presentation notes. Panel: Middle East Libraries: Building and Maintaining Collections. Middle East Studies Association Conference. November 19, 2001. San Francisco, California.