This study aims to identify the book fair at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia; its
aims and importance; to what extent we can benefit from it; its rule in developing
groups in university libraries servicing local community; studying agencies
benefiting from it, its sponsors, publishing houses sharing in it and government
institutes too; the extent of attendance; and the percentage of sales. The
researcher used the case study method.
Data were collected through two questionnaires, one of them was directed to
the visitors of the fair and the other to the publishers agencies; in addition to a
group of questions to those who are in charge of the fair. Then the researcher
used the descriptive analytical method. The researcher has reached a number of
results the most important of them are: (92) publishing houses and government
agencies took part in the 6th book fair; the biggest beneficiary of the book fair at
the University of Jazan is the local community in all its segments; there are no
financial allocations from the university budget to buy from the fair; books are
purchased for the university through tenders between companies; and it has
become clear that the participation of publishing houses and government
agencies is also free.
The study has reached a number of recommendations the most important of
them are: The date of holding the annual book fair at Jazan University should be
determined at a date not inconsistent with the dates of other exhibitions that
could hinder some publishing houses from participating in the fair; and the book
fairs in Saudi Arabia should be studied in a comparative study in Saudi
Universities to get the best results and make the best use of them to develop fairs
and its services.