Mohammad Hasanzadeh; Zeinab Ghayouri
Abstract
Introduction: The term "user studies" refers to the investigations on topics related to the users who deal with a type of user information. The range of studies for general users of the library is extensive and varied, and is associated with the methods and tools used to search for the information required ...
Read More
Introduction: The term "user studies" refers to the investigations on topics related to the users who deal with a type of user information. The range of studies for general users of the library is extensive and varied, and is associated with the methods and tools used to search for the information required by the user, the use of information obtained, user consent or disagreement with the information obtained, the flow of information, and so on. The purpose of public library users' studies is to increase the dynamic interaction between the information source and the user and serve as a tool for systematically reviewing the characteristics and behavior of users in using public library systems and services and in direct connection with the effectiveness of service information and assessment the needs of User’s information. Studies in Iran show that the focus has been on issues and barriers and factors of using public library, library location and library services. Despite the various studies in Iran, there is still no light and adaptive between studies inside and outside the country and there is no study of the causes of the differences in focusing on subjects in internal and foreign studies; therefore, systematic reporting can play a significant role in this field. Therefore, the present study aims to summarize and report systematically and structurally the results of various studies conducted in the field of user studies for efficient and effective planning and policy making. Method: This research is in the field of library research. It’s purpose is to measure the research in the field of user studies. Information needed in the first step is to use the keyword search for user studies, user study, public library user studies, and the importance of user studies among Google Scholar, Scopus, JSTOR, and Science Direct databases and Keywords for user studies, public library users, users of public libraries, audience engagement among SIDs, Magiran's public databases, and the topic of research from the site of the Quarterly Journal of Research on Information Science and Public Libraries In order to identify and cover most of the published articles and documents, a certain timeframe for search was not selected. The criteria for entering the study include all studies conducted, including books, articles presented at conferences, as well as articles published in both Farsi and English. All articles were evaluated by two evaluators using existing checklist after extraction from the databases using the mentioned keywords. Among the foreign article, after the removal of items that had a weak relationship with the study objectives, 18 English articles were identified and 69 Persian sources were identified. Finally, 38 Persian articles were studied. After the study, the extracted information was summarized and analyzed manually. Table 1 and 2 show an overview of the articles under review. Findings:The findings of the review of the studies are presented in four sections, a. Distribution of the areas studied in user studies, b. Components and Sub-Components of User Studies, c. The relationship between variables and d. evolution of user studies. A. Research areas for user studies, Research areas of user studies in 14 areas of barriers to library use, factors of library use and reasons for inclining the library, library service and studies, user satisfaction, introducing effective methods of research into user studies, library resources, studying information needs, bibliography and introduction. The study of published studies, the identification of the local library community, the history of user studies, the study of non-users of the library, the analysis of the use of the library, the habits of studying individuals, the priority of users in the use of information channels were identified. B. Components in user studies The components of foreign history in the form of 16 components, library services, library resources, library location, accessibility Convenience and attractiveness of the library environment, librarians and staff, personal reasons, equipment, space, hours of library use, membership The needs of the audience, need assessment, digitization and technology infrastructure, the use of other types of cadres instead of public libraries, the establishment of user education courses, resource management training, organizational rules and regulations. C. Related variables affecting the use of public libraries Significant relationships reported in the studies were as follows: The relationship between income and the use of public libraries The relationship between education and the use of public libraries The relationship between Gender and the use of public libraries The relationship between age and the use of public library The relationship between leisure time and library use The relationship between the use of the Internet and the use of public libraries The Impact of Educational Institutions (University and School) "and" The Impact of the Family and the Use of the Public Library "on the use of the Library D. The evolution of user studies The evolution of user studies in the two periods before and after 1980 has been grouped among foreign backgrounds. The findings showed that the subjects, the statistical population was studied, the approaches and methods of research used in the period before and after the 1980s were different. In fact, the 1980s have been a turning point in the changes that have occurred in the field of user studies. conclusion: Findings about the relationship between variables in the internal and external studies show great differences, including in the internal studies, there is a negative relationship between increasing age, education, increasing leisure time and using public libraries. By increasing these components, Decreases the use of public library that the public library did not provide adequate resources and services for the elderly, and the people with a high level of education. Also, with increasing leisure time, fewer people go to the public library, which indicates the lack of attractiveness of the library for spending leisure time in the public library. While in foreign studies, with increasing age, the use of public libraries increases. Also, people with higher education are more likely to use the library (indicates the availability of appropriate resources and services for this group of people). Also, in foreign studies, people in their leisure time use more than a public library, and consider the library as a place to spend a quiet day, and also after having a busy day, it is preferable to go to the public library for relaxation elsewhere.
