Zahed Bigdeli; Simin Momenzadeh
Volume 3, Vol.3, No.7 , April 2011, , Pages 103-126
Abstract
This study attempted to evaluate hospital libraries in Khuzestan province against the standards issued by Medical Library Association (MLA 2007) of America. The data was collected through a checklist.The results showed that none of the 17 hospitals studied could be considered "standard" with the MLA ...
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This study attempted to evaluate hospital libraries in Khuzestan province against the standards issued by Medical Library Association (MLA 2007) of America. The data was collected through a checklist.The results showed that none of the 17 hospitals studied could be considered "standard" with the MLA Standards. Libraries suffered non-librarian managers and almost all were in need of specialist librarians or professional staff, and consulting librarians. Approximately 71% of the libraries are connected to the Internet, however, only 41.9% of the libraries have access to electronic journals. None of the libraries works 24 hours a day, and mostly work 6-8 hours daily. The results also showed that the most frequent services were publishing "Library News" and "What's New in the Library"; on the other hand, publishing "subject bibliographies" and holding "conferences, seminars, etc." were the least library/information services offered. 29.4 % of hospital libraries have buildings exclusively pre-planned for library, and 76.5% of them did not have enough space and facilities for work stations and other new information technology equipment. None of the libraries enjoys having online public-access catalog (OPAC). Most of the libraries are subscribed to MEDLINE (47%), whereas subscription to EXCERPTA MEDICA database with 11.8% stands on the lowest step of the ladder.
