Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Dept. of Knowledge and Information Science
2 Dept. of Knowledge and Information Science,, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Allameh Tabataba'i University
3 Dept. of Knowledge and Information Science, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Objectives: The present study investigates the establishment of public libraries in Saveh city based on location criteria and subcriteria and suggests optimal areas for the construction of a new public library with the help of a geographic information system Geographic information systems (GIS) are up-to-date and efficient tools for preparing maps and analyzing location data
Methodology: The research in this study employs meta-analysis for the valuation and weighting of criteria and subcriteria regarding a library's location. Forty studies on location were selected, and the criteria and subcriteria regarding library location were addressed. Based on the results obtained, four main criteria with the highest repetition rate in the studies were selected for analysis: compatibility, ease of access (convenience), desirability and efficiency. Using the scores given to each criterion in the research, together with a hierarchical weighting model (AHP), each of the main criteria was scored employing Expert Choice software.
Findings: From the pairwise comparison of the four criteria, the ease of access criterion has the most importance and weight among the main criteria with a weight of 0.358, followed by the compatibility criterion (weight 0.270), the efficiency criterion (weight 0.247) and the desirability criterion (weight 0.125), respectively. Access to population centers is the most important among the subcriteria of ease of access with a weight of 0.546.
Discussion: According to the results obtained for the city of Saveh, Hasheminejad Library is in an incompatible area, while the rest of the libraries are located in either relatively compatible or fully compatible areas. The locations of the existing libraries were then assessed regarding the ease of access criterion; the compliance status of each library was obtained, and proposed areas for the construction of new libraries in each area of the city were identified. At present, the libraries of Shahid Hasheminejad, Salman Savoji and Hazrat Valiasr (AS) of Saveh are located close to each other, while many parts of Saveh do not have libraries, especially Alavi town (Mehr housing), which does not have any libraries at all.
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