Journal of Studies in Library and Information Science

Abstract

Abstract Aim: This research paper aims at evaluating and assessing the university library managers’ performance. Method: The research follows a descriptive method and uses a researcher-made questionnaire for collecting data from library staffs. The statistical population included all 100 Tehran universities' library staffs (approximatly100 staffs). By a simple random sampling method 70 library staffs affiliated to University of Tehran, Tarbiat Moallem University, Tarbiat Modares University, Elmo-Sanat University, Alzahra University, Alame Tabatabaei University, Shahid Beheshti University, and Amirkabir University were selected. Findings: The findings showed that the library managers who were LIS experts with LIS degrees, or had deputies with LIS degrees, were more successful in their roles. The paper presents some implications and suggestions are presented for future research. Conclusion: It could be concluded that today’s libraries, in a fast moving track towards digitization, need managers who possess knowledge of, and be aware of, the latest technologies as well as library software; and more importantly, they should have sufficient knowledge of management as well.

Abstract Aim: The aim of this research is to study the degree the international citation method is observed in references sources of scientific journals’ articles in the field of humanities in the year 2009.
Method: The research population was all the articles published in the scientific journals in Humanities in 2009, of which a sample of 96 journals was selected randomly containing 354 articles. The required data was collected by means of a checklist devised for the purpose of this study. Both, descriptive and analytical Statistical methods were used to analyze the collected data.
Findings: Results of the study revealed that 45.2% of the examined articles were written by one author and the majority of the articles used the APA style of citation. 17.5 percent used the MLA style, 4.5 percent used the Vancouver style, and 4% used the Chicago style. Kruskal Wallis non parametric test was used to test the research hypothesis. The results indicated there were significant differences in observation of the international citation methods.
Conclusion: The APA citation method is mostly observed in Humanities journal articles, while, the Vancouver style is the most applied method among the rest of styles. In addition, the publishers of private sector much better observed the citation method indexes than government publishers. The journals of subjective Jurisprudence and Principles, Economics, and Library and Information Science possess the maximum observation rate compared with other fields; while, the journals in Physical Education have the minimum rate. 

Abstract Aim: This research aimed to find the life process of dissertations and theses in Library and Information science in the ProQuest database. Method: This research is a descriptive survey based on content analysis. Statistical population included the 222 dissertations and theses registered in the ProQuest database from 2006 to 2010. 10 main categories and 17 subcategories assigned for content analysis of the subjects based on the subject scheme of ISTA databases. Data collected by checklists and analyzed by Excel and SPSS software. Findings:Results showed that "librarianship" as a subject with 63 hits (28.37), information retrieval with 52 hits (23.42), appeared in most titles of dissertations and theses, and the longest life processes of subjects was that of librarianship and information retrieval. Also, the number of dissertations has grown from 2006 to 2010. Most of the theses produced were in 2010 with 75 titles, while the lowest number was 12 titles in 2006. Conclusions: Distribution of subject does not follow a logical trend during years in dissertations. Emphasis was put on old subjects. Therefore, should be encouraged to select up-to-date subjects based on the current needs of the nations.

Abstract Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the factors effective on librarians’ awareness and use of capabilities of Pars Azarakhsh integrated library software in Shahid Chamran University and Ahvaz Jundi Shapur University of Medical Sciences. Method: The capabilities addressed involved both the client and the server part of Pars Azarakh Software versions 4 and later. 81 librarians participated in this study. Data were gathered by means of a researcher-made questionnaire and the collected data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's Correlation. Findings: The data collected revealed that librarians utilize the PA software very little. The can use only 37% of its capabilities. From the 13 capabilities of the system examined, 10 are used under 50% and the rest 3 are used more than 50%. Among all, the minimum usage belongs to the "management component in the server side, and the maximum usage related to the data entry part in the client part. The average ability of librarians in using the server part of the software was very low and was calculated to be 28.398%. Conclusions: In general, on the contrary of the preliminary assumptions, librarians seemed not so capable of using the capabilities of Pars Azarakhsh Library System.

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of the research is determining the relationship between spiritual intelligence and career commitment of the Isfahan university librarians.   Method: Using survey method, both the King spiritual intelligence questionnaires and Tella career commitment questionnaire were used and administered for data collection. A sample of 115 librarians was taken from all of the Isfahan university librarians. Findings: Spiritual intelligence of the librarians proved to be at a high level, and their career commitment was also at a good level. There was a significant relationship between Career Commitment and the four components of spiritual intelligence, i.e., Personal Meaning Production, Transcendental Awareness, Conscious State Expansion, and Critical Existential Thinking. Results: Regarding the significant relationship between spiritual intelligence and career commitment, it seems that augmentation of spiritual intelligence may lead to increase in career commitment of librarians.

Abstract Aim: Colors as main visual stimulator, not only assist recognition, but also create ideas. Whenever words do not suffice, color, as a universal language has always been able to pass messages through cultural borders of nations and connect people in a social setting. The aim of the present article is to study the specifications of colors and their potential ability in developing recognition, as well as ability to link human beings non-verbally, regardless of where they come from. Method: Based on the graphic knowledge of the authors, literature was reviewed and experts’ works were consulted. First, the components of verbal and non-verbal communications were identified and described. Then, the significant position of color as a medium was studied, considering the correct application and combination of colors in relation to time and place, and their impact on mind and memory. Conclusion: limited choice of colors for the purpose of communication requires existence of some familiar codes agreed upon by the source and the receiver of the message, to facilitate its exact perception. Hence, a graphic designer with a sufficient understanding of the receiver and his/her psychological and sociological characteristic should decide on choosing appropriate colors. In advertisements, since color messages are tacit by nature, and the general audience does not know about their psychological and hidden implications, the information thus received by the designer enables them to succeed in expanding the usage of a product, or draw the public attention towards it.