Qatar library, ASTM International ink deal on access to online information

Qatar National Library (QNL) has struck a deal ASTM International (the American Society for Testing and Materials) to provide online access to ASTM standards and technical information in Qatar. The deal is the first license agreement between QNL and world-renowned leader in the development and delivery of international voluntary consensus standards. By virtue of the deal free access will be provided to the ASTM Standards and Engineering Digital Library (SEDL) for employees of all government departments, QNA reported citing a statement by Qatar Foundation (QF). Students, teaching staff of all academic institutions, and staff of all State-owned and private corporations working in Qatar can also access this, the QF said. There is no limit to the number of simultaneous users or to the number of documents that can be downloaded. Anyone who lives in Qatar and has a valid Qatari ID/Residence Permit is eligible for a free library registration and can then access the ASTM standards. Access to ASTM's vast collection of technical information will help meet the commitments of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Qatar Foundation's dedicated mission of 'Unlocking Human Potential' through education, science and research. QNL Project Director Claudia Lux said: "QNL is supporting Qatar on its journey from a carbon-based economy to a knowledge-based economy by providing diversified resources and online databases free of charge to students, researchers, and the entire community in Qatar. "We are glad to expand our service offerings by partnering with ASTM to offer everyone in Qatar full access to their digital library. This partnership comes as part of the QNL's efforts to reinforce and facilitate the development of skills that will enable residents to participate in the global knowledge economy," Lux said. ASTM International President James A. Thomas said, "ASTM International is pleased to embark on this relationship with the Qatar. ASTM standards, and other technical information available from ASTM International, represent a collective, global bank of knowledge. "This agreement facilitates the transfer of that knowledge to government departments, corporations of all sizes, and to universities throughout Qatar in a convenient and efficient way." Available online and updated weekly, the ASTM Standards and Engineering Digital Library (SEDL), contains all 13,000+ ASTM standards, 114,000 pages of peer-reviewed journal papers, over 1,500 ebooks (STP's) and other technical information such as manuals and videos. More than 160 companies in Qatar have registered so far to gain access to the technical information. ASTM standards are used extensively in Qatar within the carbon industry, widely cited in the Qatar Construction Specification (QCS), and commonly referred to in academic institutions. ASTM is also helping to develop national standards in Qatar following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Laboratories and Standardization Affairs (QS), part of the Qatar Ministry of Environment. The ASTM MOU program supports open dialogue with national standards bodies worldwide, facilitates standards development, and where possible, it helps to avoid duplication of work, the QF statement added. QNL, a member of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, is currently offering free online access to a vast collection of online resources, including the latest bestsellers, classical works, concerts, top academic journals and documentaries.