This study aims to the recognition of the level of creative thinking in
solving problems of academic libraries staff in Makah and determining the
barriers to its practice. It also shows how to overcome those barriers and improve
their creative thinking; based on the importance of creative thinking in solving
problems specifically in academic libraries since they have the responsibility of
serving researchers and contributing to the development of scientific research.
The importance of this study is shown in assisting researchers and staff in
academic libraries in designing training programs for information specialists in
order to enhance their creative thinking skills in solving problems. The
development of creative thinking skills in libraries will show its effect
proportionally on the performance of carried-out services. As a result, it can
accomplish as much benefits as possible from its content and services.
This study utilizes field study methodology where the researcher has
collected data and facts about this topic, described, analyzed and explained them
to reach a significant conclusion, using main tools for collection of data based on
Likert's scale. Likert's method was designed to measure the level of creative
thinking in solving the problems and barriers related to the process of creative
thinking in these libraries. In addition to this, statistical methods have been used
to determine the relation between the variables of the study and the research
questions.
The results of the paper suggest the non-existence of any strategies for
the process of creative thinking in solving problems for staff in Saudi academic
libraries but this process is practiced singularly without planning. The results also
show that the level of creative thinking skills in solving problems is considered to
be medium. Moreover, the study has recognized a number of barriers that restrict
the level of creative thinking. Finally, the study proposes a number of suggestions
to overcome these problems and enhance the creative thinking skills.