This research investigates the existing situation regarding libraries and Learning Resource Centres (LRCs) and their infrastructure in Oman, with particular reference to those institutions in the educational system. A range of issues regarding management and organisation, resources and users are explored, as well as the adoption of modem technology in these libraries and LRCs. Two models were developed for the study. The first model was prepared to show the organisational information system, while the second model examined the impact of different types of information-seeking behaviour on the use of information sources. Data have been collected both via questionnaires and interviews. The questionnaires involved the investigation of school library users (teachers and students) in preparatory and secondary schools; and academic libraries and LRC users (faculty and students) at Sultan Qaboos University, Colleges of Education and Technical Industrial Colleges. The interview questions were put to the directors and heads of libraries and LRCs. The survey focused on eleven areas: staff; budget, acquisitions, policies, co-operation, library and LRC use, resources, services, information technology, education and future development.

Learning Resource Centre, or LRC, is an international phenomenon and a response to the changing society that came with the development of information technology. The LRC concept spread internationally during the 1990s and began to influence Swedish collage libraries at the end of the decade. The main purpose of this study is to analyze if and how Swedish college libraries have incorporated the LRC concept. Is there a Swedish LRC model? Is the LRC concept still interesting or was it a trend that is now out of date? Interviews with eleven people from six college libraries aim to show how they define the concept LRC and how it has been integrated in to their organisations. In order to explain how these six collage libraries have related to and developed their own LRC concept an organisational theory with a mythical perspective has been used. This perspective is related to an institutional perspective and is presented by the Norwegian professors Tom Christensen, Per Lægreid, Paul G. Roness and Kjell Arne Røvik in Organisationsteori i offentlig sektor. This study concludes that there is no Swedish model, however there are some undeniably Swedish characteristics. The concept LRC is never or seldom used and the activities connected to LRC have become ordinary activities at college libraries. The substance of the LRC remains and has improved the chances for use of and collaboration within the organisation. / Uppsatsnivå: D