Public Libraries
Ali Akbar Khasseh; Yosra Rahmani; Faramarz Soheili
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the Copyright literacy of public librarians in Kermanshah province, Iran.
Research method: The current study is a descriptive-survey. The statistical population of this research is all librarians of Public Library in Kermanshah (N=170). Based ...
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Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the Copyright literacy of public librarians in Kermanshah province, Iran.
Research method: The current study is a descriptive-survey. The statistical population of this research is all librarians of Public Library in Kermanshah (N=170). Based on Cochran formula, 118 individuals were selected as sample. The sampling method used in this study was stratified random sampling. Four standard questionnaires to assess librarians' copyright literacy developed by Todorova et al. (2017) were used for data collection. Then to analyze the data and answer the research questions from descriptive indices (frequency distribution table, mean and standard deviation), chi-square test, one-sample t-test and independent sample t-test and one-way analysis of variance test in SPSS software was used.
Findings: The results of data analysis demonstrated that the level of familiarity of librarians with copyright issues in Kermanshah province is low. Moreover, the results showed that Kermanshah Public Librarians' awareness of copyright policies and procedures of the country and its libraries is at a low level. In their view, there is no one in their organization responsible for dealing with copyright issues. The results also indicated that the overwhelming majority of librarians in Kermanshah province agree with the inclusion of copyright issues in academic curricula and its teaching, especially at undergraduate level. Finally, results showed that there is no significant difference between librarians' familiarity with copyright issues in gender, fields of study (librarianship and non-librarianship) and level of education.
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be said that the absence of issues related to copyright and its rules in the curriculum of the students of librarianship and information science in the universities are extremely bold. Moreover, it seems that public libraries did not perform well on teaching copyright issues to their staff, especially librarians, as they could teach these workshops and courses. The managers of public libraries in Kermanshah province should have better planning for their organization's librarians. It is recommended that, in hiring librarians, library managers and policy makers should also be aware of the amount of copyright literacy of applicants.
Nazila Mehrabi; Ahmadreza Varnaseri; sahar Khorashadizadeh; Mansoor Koohi Rostami
Abstract
Background and purpose: One of the influencing variables in job performance is psychological factors. The aim of the current research is to identify psychological factors affecting the job performance of librarians in public libraries in Qom province.
Methodology: This research was carried out in the ...
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Background and purpose: One of the influencing variables in job performance is psychological factors. The aim of the current research is to identify psychological factors affecting the job performance of librarians in public libraries in Qom province.
Methodology: This research was carried out in the shadow of pragmatism paradigm and exploratory type. In order to collect information, library and field methods have been considered. In the qualitative phase of this research, the Delphi method was used to identify psychological factors through a semi-structured questionnaire that was provided to the members of the Delphi panel; used and then approved; And in the quantitative phase, the quantitative AHP method was used to rank the factors. In this way, the questionnaire was distributed among academic staff members and employees with master's and doctorate degrees in public libraries of Qom province, and AHP method was used to analyze the data.In order to analyze the resulting data, Spss 25 and Expert Choice 11 software were used to analyze the data.
Findings: The findings showed that the psychological factors affecting the job performance of public library librarians in Qom province include 7 categories of emotional intelligence, cognitive intelligence, emotional creativity, creativity, extroversion, problem solving ability, and responsibility. Based on the comparative analysis, the factor of emotional intelligence in the first degree, the factor of problem solving ability in the second degree, the factor of responsibility in the third degree, the factor of creativity in the fourth degree, the factor of cognitive intelligence in the fifth degree, the factor of emotional creativity in the sixth degree, and Finally, the extroversion factor was ranked 7th.
Conclusion: The results obtained from this research indicate that the mentioned psychological factors are effective in the performance of public library employees in Qom province, so these psychological factors should be considered and investigated in the selection of employees
masoomeh latifi; Leili Allahbakhshian Farsani; Nasrin Davari Dolatabadi; fatemeh Mohammadbeigi
Abstract
IntroductionCommunication skills are essential for the survival and durability of variety of organizations, including libraries, which their proper use in the library environment is a critical feature of the librarianship as a profession that can affect even the management skills of libraries. The present ...
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IntroductionCommunication skills are essential for the survival and durability of variety of organizations, including libraries, which their proper use in the library environment is a critical feature of the librarianship as a profession that can affect even the management skills of libraries. The present study aims to "measure the impact of communication skills on quantum management skills of librarians and their role on agility of libraries."MethodologyThe present study is descriptive-analytic and modeling based on structural equation model. The research community is librarians of Iran University of Medical Sciences libraries.. Information gathering tool, Barton J's Communication Skills Questionnaire. E (2006), Theoretical Quantum Management Questionnaire and Basrawi (2015), and Organizational Agility Questionnaire Sharifi and Zhang (2010). FindingsThe results showed that the effect of communication skills on quantum management is higher than the hypothetical mean level of 3. Also, the effect of communication skills on organizational agility was greater than the effect of quantum skills. What was understood from the final model was that the path coefficient effect of communication skills on quantum management with the value of r = 0.87 rather than its path coefficient effect on libraries' agility with the value of r = 0.72 was higher. Also, in the final model, it is found that in the communication skills component, listening skills with standard factor load of r = 0.96, was more effective compared to the verbal component with standard factor load of r = 0.93 and the feedback component with standard factor load of r = 0.77. In the component of quantum management skills, trust with standard factor load of r = 0.94 and seeing with standard factor load of r = 0.91 compared to the other quantum management skills, had the most effect and component of action with factor load of r = 0.61 and the component of emotion with factor load of r = 0.64 had the least effect on organizational agility. In the component of organizational agility, responsiveness with standard factor load of r = 0.95 and flexibility with standard factor load of r = 0.89 compared to speed with standard factor load of r = 0.75 and competency with standard factor load of r = 0.63 received the most impact from communication skills and quantum management skills.ConclusionDue to the positive impact of communication skills and the complex nature of the communication process, it is necessary to develop interpersonal communication skills in the librarians regarding their professional needs to benefit their skills in library management and moving their activities towards dynamicity and agility.
sahar habibi; mohsen hagizanolabedini; Amir reza asnafi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Nowadays, library software is considered as an important part of service tools in libraries, and since librarians are on one side as importers of bibliographic information and borrowers, and on the other side end users search for information with the help of this system. The ...
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Background and Objectives: Nowadays, library software is considered as an important part of service tools in libraries, and since librarians are on one side as importers of bibliographic information and borrowers, and on the other side end users search for information with the help of this system. The need to comply with information exchange standards and the up-to-dateness of services in them as well as user-friendliness is clearly felt. It is obvious that if the library software is not in accordance with the standards, the loss of capital on the one hand and the reduction of the efficiency and speed of library work on the other hand will be a definite result. The purpose of this study was to evaluate in-house library software in terms of performance indicators based on the view of librarians.
Methodology: The current research is practical in terms of purpose and survey-evaluative in terms of methodology. By referring to the website of different libraries, visiting different libraries in person, field studies and interviewing people who are experts in this field, first of all internal library software (library software that the organization interested in designing by relying on specialized human resources or organizational capital, designs it) Were identified. In total, 23 in-house library software were identified, of which 9 in-house library software are currently active and librarians use it in daily use, and 14 software have been deactivated and libraries have moved to another software. Out of these 9 active softwares, 5 softwares are related to university libraries affiliated to the Ministry of Science, software related to public libraries, Tebian library software belonging to Tebian Cultural and Information Institute, Saha belonging to the specialized library of Islamic history and software of the comprehensive system of libraries. The ideological and political organization of the army that belongs to the army. According to the purpose of the research, five-library software are recommended. Parwan. Simad Mava and Oracle University of Tehran were selected for evaluation based on performance indicators due to their activeness, scope of coverage and similarity (university library software affiliated with the ministries of science). The statistical population under investigation was 131 librarians of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran, Malik Ashtar, Ferdowsi and Sharif universities who used internal library software for their daily activities and were selected by census. To measure the validity of the research tool, the checklist was given to six experts, including two faculty members, two software designers, and two professional users, and its content validity was evaluated, and after the deficiencies were corrected, the checklist was compiled. In order to check the reliability and reliability of the questionnaire, a preliminary study was conducted on 12 librarians of the University of Tehran who are working with the library software of the University of Tehran and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated. The number obtained from the calculation of Cronbach's alpha coefficient was equal to 93%. After the final correction, the checklist was distributed to the entire community and in the phase of analyzing the findings, the mentioned test was performed again. Considering that the alpha coefficient of 88% was obtained at this stage, it is clear that the questions of the checklist have internal consistency and the checklist is reliable.
Findings: The results showed that 64/64 of software in circulation advice, Symad software 50/89 percent, 08/70 percent Parwan software, software Tehran 22/56 percent, 76 percent have a favorable condition sojourn software. The procurement and ordering section does not exist in the software of Tehran, Pand, Parwan. In addition, although it is designed, it is not actually used in Mava software. Only in the Simmand software, librarians actually use this section and 36.1% of them are in good condition. In storage and retrieval of 41.64% of software, 34.71% of Simmand software, 24.61% of Parwan software, 37.69% of software in Tehran, 40.38% of Mova software are in good condition. In the reporting section, 24.24% of the software is Pand, 53.20% of the software, 18.19% of the software in Parwan, 32.77% of the software in Tehran, 56.08% of the software in Mova is a desirable situation. The results showed that only Simmand software has paid attention to the orders section, which requires more attention in this section. In addition, the software is lagging behind in various subdivisions, there are weaknesses, in fact, intra-house library software has been able to some extent meet the daily needs of librarians in these sectors, but given the advancement of technology, and it has not been able to meet their expectations.
Discussion: The results of this research will help the organizations and libraries that produce this type of software, that by using these results and by using the opinions of librarians, they can try to improve the state of the software, and it can even help other libraries and organizations that intend to do this. make them think more when making decisions and pay more attention to the capabilities of the leading intra-organizational software in this work and the opinions of the users of these software. It is suggested to evaluate the commercial library software in the libraries used throughout the country by using this checklist and make a comparison between internal and commercial software. Finally, he proceeded to prepare these softwares.
Public Libraries
Mozafar Cheshmeh Sohrsbo
Abstract
Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the architectural status of public libraries with the nature and function of the library from the perspective of librarians as those who have the most relationship with the library building.Methodology: The approach chosen for this research is qualitative, ...
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Aim: The purpose of this study is to investigate the architectural status of public libraries with the nature and function of the library from the perspective of librarians as those who have the most relationship with the library building.Methodology: The approach chosen for this research is qualitative, because the nature and problem of the research is a description of a situation that due to the lack of research background in this field, cannot be examined in the form of quantitative research. In the present study, researchers are trying to explore librarians' attitudes about library architecture, so the Grounded theory method was used and unstructured interviews were used to collect data. For analyzing data collected. The data are collected through unstructured interviews, run on 13 librarians working at Rafsanjan Public Libraries, sections. Interviews were conducted in the library of each interviewee and each interview lasted between 20 and 30 minutes.Findings: After analyzing the data from interviews, a selected code named the architectural principles of public libraries, the two axes factors of standardization, environmental signage and symbolization and 15 other factors Such as adapting before allocating existing buildings to the library, consulting librarians to build a new library, separating the lounge and reading room, lagging behind standards in newly established libraries, allocating space for children, not being suitable for the disabled, located Being in a remote environment in the dimension of standardization and coordination with the environment, the importance of aesthetics in attracting the audience, symbolizing, marking, refreshing, ordinary and simple view, building new libraries with unique architecture and putting a box back The book was at the entrance of the library was identified.Originality: Every building is built to serve its purpose and certainly some have been successful in providing the services, because their elements and components are best combined as to somehow reflecting the needs of their members. understanding librarians as the most Interact with building libraries can be very instructive.
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The present study aimed at investigation the educational needs of librarians with the focus on general and technical job needsMethodology: Research method was practical in terms of purpose, and the data collection procedure was descriptive. The research setting was all the ...
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Background and Objectives: The present study aimed at investigation the educational needs of librarians with the focus on general and technical job needsMethodology: Research method was practical in terms of purpose, and the data collection procedure was descriptive. The research setting was all the public libraries of Shiraz. Data was collected through the use of questionnaire filled by 100 librarians.Data was analyzed descriptively and analytically by the employment of SPSS 22 to investigate the research questions analytically. One sample T-Test, Friedman Test and One-Way Annona were employedFindings: Results of the study indicated that while the highest educational needs of librarians were related to the career empowerment and advancement skills, the lowest educational needs were related to ICT skills and human resource management skill. Moreover, results demonstrated that gender and educational level can make difference in educational needs.Discussion: Librarians of public libraries require the permanent educational courses in both general and technical skills. For improving the knowledge and skill of those practitioners not only technical needs but also general needs should be taken into consideration.
kobra raufi; Nosrat Riahinia; Abdorrahim Navehebrahim
Abstract
Background and Objectives: In this research, we are going to investigate the relation between the performances of academic libraries Managers and their effects on librarians' burnout.
Methodology: Methodology is of correlative descriptive research method and statistical society (population) includes ...
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Background and Objectives: In this research, we are going to investigate the relation between the performances of academic libraries Managers and their effects on librarians' burnout.
Methodology: Methodology is of correlative descriptive research method and statistical society (population) includes 600 people form the whole librarians of ten academic libraries in Tehran under supervision of Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. The sample was 304 people and 234 people rejected the inquiries. This research conducted using a questionnaire to gather necessary data.Two kinds of questionnaire, Moslesh' standard burnout questionnaire and researcher made questionnaire of managers' performance have been used.
Findings: The analysis of gathered data has been done by means of SPSS 19. Pearson correlation test and multiple variables regression analysis were used to investigate the relations between variables. Significant coefficient showed that, at 99% confidence level, there is negative significant relation between the performance of academic libraries managers and librarian burnout. That is, the more the performance of libraries manager improve, the less will be the librarians' burnout. Also, significant correlation showed that there is statistical significant negative relation between the dimensions of managers' performance and librarians' burnout, in 99% of confidence level.
Discussion: Among the dimensions of managers' performance, just managers' problem solving abilities is able to predict the dependent variable (burnout).
Amin Zare; ُSorraya Zangeneh; Sara Bahraminia; Mahmoud Moradi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Today, research and doing scientific investigations are considered the basis of the progress of societies, and spending money on research is actually an investment. Science begins with research. Organizations serve the human community with the power of science, and human beings, ...
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Background and Objectives: Today, research and doing scientific investigations are considered the basis of the progress of societies, and spending money on research is actually an investment. Science begins with research. Organizations serve the human community with the power of science, and human beings, as the third and strongest side of this structure, have an undeniable impact on advancing the goals of the organization and society. The development of human knowledge over previous decades has been done through both education and research. The findings of the previous generation have been passed on to the present generation through education. At the same time, the new generation has produced knowledge for the next generation by conducting various types of research. The process of producing knowledge requires knowledge of research methods as well as the development of relevant skills. Creative, knowledgeable, and capable human resources strengthen the structure of the organization and contribute to the development of society and the improvement of services. Therefore, considering the importance of research, the present study was conducted to investigate the factors related to the tendency of librarians working in public libraries in Kermanshah province to research.
Methodology:In this research, a survey method was used. The statistical population of all librarians working in public libraries of Kermanshah province is under the supervision of the Public Libraries of the country, which was examined as a census of the whole society. Out of 170 librarians, 139 participated to research by completing the researcher-made questionnaire with the reliability of ٨/٩١ in the scale of Alpha-Cronbach. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 23. The tests used in this study, were the Clemogrov Smirnov (KS) test, the independent T-test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient, which were used to examine the correlation between the variables. The regression coefficients and the regression line equation were also obtained for the research variables.
Findings: The findings illustrated that there is a significant correlation between motivation variables, management strategies, individual and professional abilities, career advancement, level of education, and salary increase with the tendency of librarians to do research. There was no significant correlation between age and years of service with the level of a research orientation of librarians in public libraries. There was no significant difference between men and women, as well as the field of study of librarians working in public libraries in Kermanshah province. Among the variables related to the tendency of librarians to research, the motivation variable was the most important (38%), the variable of individual and specialized abilities (25%) and the variable of management policies (23%), and the tendency of librarians to do research was the next variable. The two variables of career advancement and salary increase were removed from the regression equation.
Discussion: The tendency to do research at the beginning and to a large extent goes back to the individual (variable motivation) that is developed by acquiring individual and specialized skills and abilities. However, in order for research activities to continue, growth and strengthening require the planning and support of senior and decision-making managers and officials in libraries and information centers (management policies). In general, and considering the relationship between research variables, it can be concluded that educated librarians in the field of librarianship with a high level of education (master's degree and above) who have sufficient internal motivation and are familiar with research techniques and specific and valuable personal skills (variable of individual and professional abilities), if the organization's research policies are supportive and career advancement and salary increases are not considered at a low level, they would have a strong desire to do research. The results of this study suggest that the tendency to research returns to the individual at the beginning and to a large extent (variable motivation with the highest predictive power) but to grow and strengthen the need for planning and support of high-ranking officials and decision-makers. The recipient has in libraries and information centers (management lines). In this regard, it is recommended that librarians who are interested in research and conduct research activities be encouraged (not necessarily financially). Consider courses and courses to strengthen and develop research skills.
Masoumeh Moslemi
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Countless users with lots of problems daily refer to libraries with hope of guidance and counseling. Librarians are responsible not only for delivering the books but determining the appropriate books which could fulfill users’ needs. Librarians who are equipped ...
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Background and Objectives: Countless users with lots of problems daily refer to libraries with hope of guidance and counseling. Librarians are responsible not only for delivering the books but determining the appropriate books which could fulfill users’ needs. Librarians who are equipped with sufficient Health Information Literacy could help users better. As a result, providing users’ satisfaction leads them become permanent users and encourage other potential members to attend library. Health Information Literacy can study through various lasers. The current research studies Librarians Health Information Literacy in terms of empathy, communication, health and family skills. At the current time, people's tendency to use internet to reach more information in short time has highly boosted. Although to arrive at healthy information with high speed internet is too satisfactory, but great attention should be given to the authenticity of sites, source and people who provide this information. Two major services of libraries are to provide internet services and electronic resources. It should be highlighted that librarians are the best counselor and guide of users with high Health Information Literacy who could provide users with useful sites. It should be notified that previous researches on Health Information Literacy are focused on hygiene information but present study’s concentration is behavioral and skills of life. This study aims to survey the status of public librarians' Health Information Literacy in relation to clients.
Methodology: Regarding variables normality, one-sample T-Test is applied to determine the answers. The obtained results indicate desirability of Librarians' Health Information Literacy status in empathy, communication, health and family skills. The obtained average in all skills was higher than average criterion 3. Health Information Literacy of librarians in following cases; “knowing honor to service the clients” to other empathy indicators, “respectful appropriate behavior with all clients” to other indicators of communication skills, “trying to prevent perilous behaviors” to other indicators of health skills and finally “acceptance responsibility in their acts” to other indicators of family was higher.
Findings: Regarding variables normality, one-sample T-Test is applied to determine the answers. The obtained results indicate desirability of Librarians' Health Information Literacy status in empathy, communication, health and family skills. The obtained average in all skills was higher than average criterion 3. Health Information Literacy of librarians in following cases; “knowing honor to service the clients” to other empathy indicators, “respectful appropriate behavior with all clients” to other indicators of communication skills, “trying to prevent perilous behaviors” to other indicators of health skills and finally “acceptance responsibility in their acts” to other indicators of family was higher.
Discussion: The present study is quite useful and beneficial because it highlights the role of librarians in providing health information services to clients. Using Health Information Literacy measurement, authorities of the public libraries can promote the literacy of health information of librarians. High communication skills of librarians result in attracting people to reading books in multifarious ways. Librarians should able to communicate with schools and universities properly, hold study circles to create variety in libraries’ environment and have good communication skills. The results indicate that health information literacy of librarians is higher than average in terms of communication skills. Both Health Information Literacy and hygienic skills are significant and interrelated. The prior’s significance lies in empathy and communication skills and the latter’s in providing better services. Since different people from different social classes refer to libraries, it is necessary for librarians to have plentiful health and hygiene information to provide and maintain the health of libraries. Certainly the cleanliness and beauty of the library have deserving effect on the users' exhilaration. The results of the study demonstrate that librarians' Health Information Literacy is in desirable level in health and family skills.
It should be notified that with the introduction of new tools and software technology to the libraries, the librarian’s literacy level has extensively boosted. Having tried to learn new information technologies, librarians can introduce health-related databases to users by holding various training courses in libraries. In spite of librarians’ higher Health Information Literacy, the entrance of technologically advanced utensils and electronic resources to libraries create anxiety filled environments. Therefore, librarians need to promote their skills in different fields especially in health information to avoid physical and mental damages. Librarians could make libraries a certain, safe and trusted place through secrecy maintenance, affability and reliability and providing necessary facilities for easy accessibility to health information required for users. Authorities could also have determinant role in the augment of librarians' Health Information Literacy. They could carry out this task by; purchasing and sending various sources of health, psychology and hygiene for libraries; purchasing health related databases to librarians and users; holding different conferences about Health Information Literacy for librarians; holding educational courses for all librarians in city; making them familiar with tools and new technological soft wares; holding study circles among librarians in city; creating communicative relationship among librarians and professionals like physicians and psychiatrists and finally establishing a provincial counseling center to lead librarians settle their own and members problems
Abbas Doulani; Mitra Shakori; Masoumeh Karbala Aghaei Kamran
Abstract
Abstract Background and Objectives: The purpose of this research is to investigate the type of organizational culture governing the public libraries of East Azarbaijan province and evaluate its relation with user satisfaction. Methodology: The present research is a descriptive-analytical method. Two ...
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Abstract Background and Objectives: The purpose of this research is to investigate the type of organizational culture governing the public libraries of East Azarbaijan province and evaluate its relation with user satisfaction. Methodology: The present research is a descriptive-analytical method. Two tools have been used to collect the information needed in this research.Cameron & Quinn Organizational Culture Questionnaire: In this tool, the respondents of the questionnaire must use the allocation of definite numbers (zero to 100) to identify the four types of cultures in this model regarding the characteristics of the existing and desired culture of the organization. Respond. Organizational Culture Assessment Questionnaire (OCAI) has been widely used in many organizations since 1999 and its widespread results, model validity and organizational culture assessment tools used in this study. The evaluation of organizational culture by a questionnaire including 24 questions.User satisfaction questionnaire: The questionnaire included 11 questions about library equipment, 29 questions for public services (trust and reference and information), 6 questions related to special services, 15 resource questions, 5 questions related to publications and 7 questions related to the librarian's performance, which is a total of 73 questions and measures the satisfaction of library users from very low to very high. All questions in these sections are closed and based on the scale of a 5-value spectrum (Likert) of the option ("very high" to "very low"). In order to obtain the validity of the instrument, the experts' opinions were used so that the measuring instruments were sent to 15 experts from the field and their views were applied to the questionnaires. To measure the reliability of the measurement tools, the Cronbach's alpha formula was used to complete the 30 questionnaires from each population of the study population. Cronbach's alpha was estimated at 84%. Descriptive statistics (frequency, frequency, mean and standard deviation) were used to analyze the data. Inferential statistics including Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis tests, Pearson correlation were used to determine the significant differences. To do this, use the software SPSS Version 20 has been used. User satisfaction questionnaire: The questionnaire included 11 questions about library equipment, 29 questions for public services (trust and reference and information), 6 questions related to special services, 15 resource questions, 5 questions related to publications and 7 questions related to the librarian's performance, which is a total of 73 questions and measures the satisfaction of library users from very low to very high. Findings: To identify the organizational culture of the template in the public libraries of East Azarbaijan province (research question), use of Cameron and Quinn models Became Using a competing value framework, they defined four types of organizational culture: family culture (tribal, cooperative, or cooperative), specialist culture (adhocracy), market-based culture and hierarchical culture. Cameron and Quinn also introduced the "Organizational Culture Assessment Tool" that was used to measure, evaluate and identify the relative superiority of the four types of cultures in the organization. To assess each type of organizational culture in this tool, six general criteria are used as follows: organizational characteristics, organizational leadership, employee management, organizational integrity, emphasis and focus on organizational strategy and success criteria. The first hypothesis of the research investigates the desirable situation and the existing status of organizational culture among librarians of public libraries in East Azarbaijan province regarding the existence or absence of significant differences. Based on the results of the research, the result of the test showed that there is a significant difference between the desired situation and the existing status of organizational culture among librarians of the public libraries of the East Azarbaijan. Regarding the second hypothesis of the research, there is a relationship between the organizational cultures governing the public libraries of the East Azarbaijan province with the user’s satisfaction. According to the research findings, Spearman correlation test with correlation coefficient of 0.176 and significance of 0.015 showed that there is a significant relationship between user satisfaction and type of organizational culture. Discussion: According to the results, librarians are more likely to be part of a group organizational culture. This kind of organizational culture (family) focuses on internal issues, but as stated above, freedom of action in values is more than stability and control. In this culture, organization management is through teamwork, partnership, and general agreement. In family culture, organization management is through teamwork, partnership, and general agreement. Teamwork communication and lack of hierarchy are the hallmarks of working units. More people are members of a family than members of a business organization, and this conclusion suggests that, according to librarians of public libraries, employees want to do things in a team and with a general agreement.
Amin Zare
Abstract
Background and Objectives: One of the most important variables in the success of any organization is observance of ethics in general and professional ethics in particular. Professional ethics is the organization's communication behavior with the environment based on rights, obligations and duties. Laws ...
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Background and Objectives: One of the most important variables in the success of any organization is observance of ethics in general and professional ethics in particular. Professional ethics is the organization's communication behavior with the environment based on rights, obligations and duties. Laws and principles in the librarian practice usually refer to practices that are expected to be professional goals, purposes, and requirements. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which librarians at the Astan Qods Razavi Libraries are familiar with the principles of professional ethics with respect to age, experience, their job, education level, job specialty, gender, position and employment status. The research sought to answer the following questions: What is the extent to which librarians in libraries affiliated with Astan Qods Razavi are familiar with the professional ethics of librarianship and ethical charter? How is the knowledge of librarians of Astan Qods Razavi libraries based on prioritizing the principles of professional ethics (responsibility towards their respective organization, self, profession, colleagues, users, professionals in other disciplines)? Is there a significant relationship between the variables of age and level of education and the level of librarians' familiarity with Astan Qods Razavi Libraries and the professional ethics of librarianship? Are there any significant differences between different groups of librarians in Astan Qods Razavi Libraries in terms of gender and marital orientation? Research questions are: What is the extent to which librarians in libraries affiliated with Astan Quds Razavi are familiar with the professional ethics of librarianship? How is the knowledge of librarians of Astan Quds Razavi libraries based on prioritizing the principles of professional ethics (responsibility towards relevant organization, self, profession, colleagues, users, professionals in other disciplines)? Is there a significant correlation between the variables of age and level of education and the level of librarians' familiarity with Astan Quds Razavi Libraries and the professional ethics of librarianship? Is there a significant difference between different groups of librarians in Astan Quds Razavi libraries on gender and marital orientation? Methodology: The present study was a descriptive one and was conducted by using the survey method. The research population consisted of all librarians of Astan Qods Razavi libraries including 152 librarians from 43 libraries. A questionnaire was designed by researchers to collect the research data. In addition to demographic questions, 63 closed-ended questions based on the five-point Likert scale were used. The validity of the questionnaire was assessed by experts and some experts' opinions and Cronbach's alpha was used to calculate the reliability of the questionnaire. Due to the limited population of the study, sampling was avoided and census method was used. Therefore, 152 questionnaires were sent to the research community through administrative automation, of which 120 questionnaires were completed and returned. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. SPSS software version 20 and MS Excel spreadsheet software were used. Findings: The findings of this study showed that librarians of libraries affiliated to Astan Qods Razavi have little knowledge of professional ethics. This may be due to the lack of attention given by the authorities to professional ethics or even to a mere focus on ethical standards in general and a lack of attention to the professional ethics of librarianship. The findings of the present study also indicated that there is a significant correlation between demographic variables such as age, level of education, and familiarity with professional ethics of Astan Qods Razavi librarians. And the positive direction of the relationship showed that with increasing age and level of education, librarians in Astan Qods Razavi libraries would increase their professional ethics and its components, and older people would be more familiar with younger and more educated people. There is a higher level of professional ethics than lower educated people. Discussion: The results of prioritizing the professional ethics components from the librarian's point of view showed that responsibility towards the profession was in the first priority, self-responsibility in the second priority, responsibility toward society in the third and responsibility toward organization ranked in forth priority. There is a higher level of professional ethics than lower educated people. This may mean increasing the level of familiarity with professional ethics within the mentioned community, which may be influenced by some of the workshops that may be held at Astan Quds Razavi or dealing with people with experience and transferring their experiences to librarians. It has made them more familiar with the components of professional ethics in librarianship within the research community.
Shabnam Shahini; Gholamreza Heidari; Abdolhosein Farajpahlou
Abstract
This research attempted to investigate the e-readiness of academic libraries in Ahvaz from the viewpoints of their directors and librarians to identify their strengths and weaknesses in terms of e-readiness dimensions, and to offer suggestions to improve their services. The research is of a descriptive-analytic ...
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This research attempted to investigate the e-readiness of academic libraries in Ahvaz from the viewpoints of their directors and librarians to identify their strengths and weaknesses in terms of e-readiness dimensions, and to offer suggestions to improve their services. The research is of a descriptive-analytic type and a survey method was used. This study used Noorafruz, Hariri, and Hanafizadeh model (2010) and the model based on IUP (Mutula & Van Brakel, 2006) presented by Noroozi and Jafarpur (2011) as well as the international STOPE model used in Badamchi Wayghan (2012) to formulate three questionnaires. The validity of the questionnaires was determined using facial validity method and the reliability of the questionnaires was measured through Cronbach’s Alpha. Descriptive statistics including frequency, frequency percentage and mean were used. To determine the normality of distribution of the data, Kolmogorov-Smirinov test was applied. To measure the e-readiness dimensions of the libraries One-sample t-test was used. Findings showed that in general, the libraries are at “medium’ level in e-readiness. The libraries were not significantly different in terms of different dimensions of e-readiness; however, directors were significantly different in their e-readiness. It seems that libraries need to reconsider every aspects of e-readiness to reach a level of readiness appropriate for the information society of today. Since it is important to pave the path for every dimension of e-readiness to serve the clients better, library directors and university chancellors must focus on these dimensions.
Iraj Radad
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of communication skills of librarians of Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi on the quality of their services. The research was conducted through a descriptive and co-relational method. The statistical population consisted all librarians (64 people) and active ...
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This study aimed to investigate the effect of communication skills of librarians of Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi on the quality of their services. The research was conducted through a descriptive and co-relational method. The statistical population consisted all librarians (64 people) and active member of the Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi (61,178 people). Due to the limited number of librarians, all of them were conducted and 382 people (based on the Kerjcie-Morgan’s table of sample size) were selected randomly through stratified sampling method. Two standard questionnaires of Queendam (for measuring communication skills of librarians) and LibQual (for measuring the quality of services) were used to collect the needed data. The collected data were analyzed in both descriptive statistics (including frequency distribution and percentage, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Chi-square test, T-test and Pearson) using SPSS 18 software package. Descriptive findings showed that the average of librarians’ communication skills and also the quality of service in the Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi was on middle level. Analytical results showed that there is no significant relationship between the librarians’ communication skills and the quality of services in the Central Library. There was also a significant difference between the librarians’ communication skills in terms of their demographic characteristics (including gender, age, work experience, education and field of study).
Shabnam Shahiny; Seyyedeh Sedigheh taherzadeh Mousavian; zahed Bigdeli
Abstract
Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to investigate historical trends of user education in libraries. It also attempted to ask librarians to assess their readiness to train their users. Method: This research was conducted in two phases, following a descriptive-analytical approach. In the first ...
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Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to investigate historical trends of user education in libraries. It also attempted to ask librarians to assess their readiness to train their users. Method: This research was conducted in two phases, following a descriptive-analytical approach. In the first part the relevant materials were examined. For the second part, a questionnaire was developed which consisted of 23 questions and proved to be valid and reliable with a Cronbach’s Alpha calculated as 0.90. The research population consisted of all 80 librarians of both universities; however, 56 questionnaires were used in data analyses. Findings/Results: The results showed that librarians at both universities found their capabilities in training users as “to some extent” and the only item with high competency was “enjoying teaching”. Conclusion: Due to the widespread and increasing presence of new information and communication technologies, and because of absolute necessity of teaching library users, it is essential for academic libraries to offer theoretical education and training to librarians to familiarize them with topics and with teaching principles. This will pave the path to more productivity of the library resources and services, as well as to promote librarians social status.
Mohammad Sadegh Rajaei; Mansoor Koohirostami; Abdolah Fazeli; Fatemeh Moghtadaei
Volume 6, Issue 14 , August 2015, , Pages 94-123
Zivar Sabbaghinejad; Gholamreza Rajabi; Fatemeh Rafieinasab
Volume 6, Vol.6, No.13 , May 2014, , Pages 107-127
Abstract
Aim: This study examines the Techno Stress among the librarians of both universities of Shahid Chamran and Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Method: The research population consisted of all the staff employed in all active libraries in both universities including the central libraries and the ...
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Aim: This study examines the Techno Stress among the librarians of both universities of Shahid Chamran and Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Method: The research population consisted of all the staff employed in all active libraries in both universities including the central libraries and the rest of academic libraries located in the schools and hospitals. Data collection was performed by means of two scales: the Ragu-Nathan Technostress Scale, and the Kohn Perceived Stress Scale. The data thus collected was analyzed by means of the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The the significance level was determined to be 0.01. Finding: Results of the ANOVA test showed significant differences among respondents regarding the different components of Techno Stress. The follow-up test of Tukee revealed that the differences come mainly from “Overload of technology” that received the highest average from librarians of both Shahid Chamran University and the Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Conclusion: Findings revealed a significant difference between men and women only in regards with “Invasion of technology” as a component of Techno Stress. Also, it was noted that among all, the “Overload of Technology” component stood out with the highest score obtained from librarians in both universities, meaning it needed more attention than other components of Techno Stress.
