Shahnaz Khademizadeh; Fatemeh Rafieinasab
Abstract
Introduction: The field of librarianship and information science with interdisciplinary nature trains specialized human resources required by libraries, academics, hospitals, and research information centers. This study endeavors to investigate the problems and strategies affecting the promotion of the ...
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Introduction: The field of librarianship and information science with interdisciplinary nature trains specialized human resources required by libraries, academics, hospitals, and research information centers. This study endeavors to investigate the problems and strategies affecting the promotion of the job status in this field.Methods: This qualitative case study reviewed the viewpoints of specialists. Interviewees were selected by purposeful sampling method and their views were collected using semi-structured interviews; after the initial coding, their classification was done.Results: By analyzing the interviews, the problems of the medical librarianship job status were identified according to the job classification booklet in the employment category. Regarding the problems of public jobs, changing the job title of librarian to an expert in knowledge and information science and being limited to several professions, and in the specialized jobs section, occupational field of health information technology expert, as well as the employment problems of medical librarians were mentioned and some strategies were proposed from the viewpoint of professors and experts in this field.Conclusion: The field of medical librarianship, after several decades of its activity in Iran, needs strategies to improve job position. In effect, with the specialization of librarians' activities, the creation of independent job disciplines can help to improve the job status of the discipline. It is expected that the results of the present study can help managers and those in charge in planning and decision-making.
Azra Daei; Sona Imani-Tayebi; Shahin Mojiri; Seyyed Saeed Mousavifar; Mohammad Reza Soleymani
Abstract
Introduction: 360-degree feedback seems to be a more comprehensive view of appraising capabilities, behavior, competence, and performance of individuals in the organization than other methods of performance appraisal. This study endeavored to appraise librarians’ performance in Isfahan University of ...
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Introduction: 360-degree feedback seems to be a more comprehensive view of appraising capabilities, behavior, competence, and performance of individuals in the organization than other methods of performance appraisal. This study endeavored to appraise librarians’ performance in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, through 360-degree feedback.Methods: This study conducted by a survey-analysis methodology. The population consisted of 43 librarians, 43 superiors, 43 colleagues, and 80 users; accordingly, census sampling method was employed. Each librarian was assessed by one supervisor, all colleagues, two users, and a self-assessment questionnaire was filled by each librarian. The data was collected by pre-prepared questionnaires by Farajpahlou et al. To analyze the data. This study employed the Student's t, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Duncan, analysis of variance tests.Results: Librarians’ performance in total (4.37), and status of their performance in moral-value (4.47), functional (4.37), and process (4.34) skills were higher than average level. There was no significant difference between the results of four groups in the moral-value index and functional skills, but there was a significant difference between the users and other assessors in the process skills.Conclusion: Given the low mean in the process index, it seems necessary to take effective steps by librarians to improve communication with users. These results could be used by managers and librarians to identify the strengths and weaknesses of librarians’ performance.
Maliheh Dalili-Saleh; Maryam Salami; Faramarz Soheili; Soraya Ziaei
Abstract
Introduction: So far, many technologies have entered the world of libraries, and it is essential for librarians to know how to employ these tools to enhance library services. This study aimed to extract the components of augmented reality (AR), and to present a model for the use of it in the libraries ...
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Introduction: So far, many technologies have entered the world of libraries, and it is essential for librarians to know how to employ these tools to enhance library services. This study aimed to extract the components of augmented reality (AR), and to present a model for the use of it in the libraries of universities of medical sciences.Methods: This study adopted a qualitative approach, had an applied goal, and was based on data theory. The participants comprised 20 experts of AR, and the data were collected based on in-depth, semi-structured interviews until achieving theoretical saturation. A model was proposed after open coding and the formation of the main categories.Results: The category of application included strengthening education, promoting user’s information literacy, finding resources, user guidance, gamification, knowledge sharing, educational justice, helping management, enriching resources, providing new services, helping individuals with disabilities, promoting the professionalism of librarians, and economic savings.Conclusion: The results of this study seem to be essential for achieving fourth-generation libraries. Libraries can attract many users by implementing the right policies, using technology, and enriching the content of resources. AR is employed to help library management, improve the professional activities of librarians, and users.
Faramarz Soheili; Sahar Jasri; Ali Akbar Khasseh; Farshid Danesh
Abstract
Introduction: Assessing the quality of mobile websites related to libraries is one of the new topics of study. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of the mobile websites of the libraries of the top Iranian universities of medical sciences.Methods: This was an applied research, ...
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Introduction: Assessing the quality of mobile websites related to libraries is one of the new topics of study. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of the mobile websites of the libraries of the top Iranian universities of medical sciences.Methods: This was an applied research, done by the descriptive-survey method. The study population included the libraries’ mobile websites of the top fifty Iranian universities of medical sciences, which ranked highest in the webometrics ranking of universities in January 2019. The quality of services was evaluated using a checklist included fourteen indicators. Descriptive statistical methods and Friedman test were utilized for data analysis.Results: “Quick Access to Databases,” “Contact us,” and “Observing and Searching Library Catalog” with a mean rank of 10.01 had the best position among indicators. “Study Hall Reservation” with a mean rank of 3.01 and “Library Floors’ Map/Plan” with a mean rank of 3.99 had the worst situation among the fourteen indicators studied, respectively.Conclusion: The results showed that some indicators such as “Quick Access to Databases,” “Observing and Searching Library Catalog,” and “Library News and Events” were more useful than others. These are the indicators that users of libraries’ mobile websites usually need. Medical informatics administrators and designers at medical universities can use the results of this research to improve the quality of services of mobile websites of university libraries.
Nasrin Musarezai; Hasan Ashrafi-Rizi; Leila Shahrzadi
Abstract
Introduction: Investigating the health information seeking behavior of users can help librarians to provide appropriate services, and help public libraries to make effective decisions and plans. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the health information seeking behavior of among the ...
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Introduction: Investigating the health information seeking behavior of users can help librarians to provide appropriate services, and help public libraries to make effective decisions and plans. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the health information seeking behavior of among the users of public libraries in Isfahan City, Iran.Methods: In this research with survey method, the statistical population included 6657 users of public libraries in Isfahan City, and the sample size was calculated as 377. The sampling was performed using stratified random sampling method. Data collection tools included a researcher-made Health Information Seeking Behavior questionnaire. The validity of questionnaire was verified by experts in the field of medical library and information science, and its reliability was calculated by Cronbach’s alpha as 0.87. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics via SPSS software.Results: Frequency distribution of health information searches and time spent on searching for health information in each search showed that most of the users searched for health information once a month, and each time they spent 15-30 minutes for health information searches. Moreover, the mean score of components of health information seeking behavior among users showed that the highest mean related to the purposefulness of health information search (63.1 out of 100) and the lowest was of the diversity of health information sources (45.71 out of 100).Conclusion: Public library users do not spend much time on searching for health information. They search for health information based on the various goals and issues they are facing and conduct targeted searches. Moreover, they do not care much about the resources of health information they need.
Masomeh Ansari; Eham Shahdadnejad; Mehrdad Khalediyan; Mozhdeh Salajegheh
Volume 14, Issue 5 , October 2017, , Pages 224-227
Abstract
about person’s health. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of literacy among 18-50-year old people that referred to the public libraries of Kerman, Iran.Methods: Sample size determined 375 people using clustering method. Research tool was health literacy for Iranian adults (HELIA) ...
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about person’s health. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of literacy among 18-50-year old people that referred to the public libraries of Kerman, Iran.Methods: Sample size determined 375 people using clustering method. Research tool was health literacy for Iranian adults (HELIA) standard assessment questionnaire (reliability was 0.89). Data were analyzed by Student's independent t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: Mean of health literacy has the highest and lowest scores in knowledge (14.9) and reading (8.5) subcomponents, respectively. Research findings, in general, showed that 24% (90 people) of clients had sufficient health literacy, 52.3% (196 people) had average health literacy and 23.7% (89 people) had weak health literacy. Therefore, health literacy level of 18-50-year old clients of libraries under coverage public libraries institution of Kerman was middle.Conclusion: In regard to the middle level of health literacy, creating and presenting valid and up-to-date hygienic content of health centers could be effective in promoting the public health literacy level of society.
Mitra Abarghoian; Mohammad Reza Hashemian; Niloofar Hodhodinejad; Zahra Fotouhi; Ali Norouzi
Volume 14, Issue 2 , July 2017, , Pages 65-70
Abstract
Introduction: Web2 has affected libraries and their services. Libraries require this technology in order to improve the quality of their services. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges of applying Web2 in libraries of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.Methods: The current cross-sectional ...
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Introduction: Web2 has affected libraries and their services. Libraries require this technology in order to improve the quality of their services. The aim of this study was to determine the challenges of applying Web2 in libraries of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.Methods: The current cross-sectional survey was carried out in 2015. The study population consisted of 60 librarians in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by specialists, and its reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.88). The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (t-test and Pearson correlation) in SPSS software.Results: The results showed that among the factors influencing the use of Web2 technologies, "factors related to users" had the highest mean (3.9), followed by "factors related to the librarians" and “infrastructural and cultural factors" with a mean of 3.5.Conclusion: The findings indicated the librarians’ lack of familiarity with the use of Web2 technologies. Thus, training can play a role in librarians’ familiarity with Web2 and using such tools in library services.
Seyedeh Zahra Mousavi; Sedigheh Mohammadesmaeil
Volume 13, Issue 4 , November 2016, , Pages 280-285
Abstract
Introduction: Lean Six- Sigma management is the result of two approaches of Six- Sigma and lean manufacturing as both seek to improve processes and answer the needs of the users. The aim of this study was modeling the relationship between the applications of Lean Six-Sigma management components with ...
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Introduction: Lean Six- Sigma management is the result of two approaches of Six- Sigma and lean manufacturing as both seek to improve processes and answer the needs of the users. The aim of this study was modeling the relationship between the applications of Lean Six-Sigma management components with customer-oriented approach in academic libraries in Tehran city, Iran. Methods: In this analytical applied study, the study population was all the managers and officials of the central libraries of Tehran universities under the supervision of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education and Ministry of Science, which reached to 150 employees. Data collection was carried out using Library method and a questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts in librarianship and management and its reliability was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient which was calculated to be 0.89 for Lean Six -Sigma questionnaire and 0.86 for customer-centric questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, test correlation matrix, t, and one-sample-t tests with the help of SPSS 20 and Lisrel software. Finally, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesis.Results: The components based on facts and information management, limitless cooperation and information technology had a significant positive correlation with customer orientation in libraries and that these components had a suitable situation in academic libraries in Tehran city.Conclusion: The applications of Lean Six- Sigma management in the studied population are not desirable and it requires more attention by library managers.Keywords: Lean Six -Sigma management; Lean Six Sigma; Libraries; Customer Orientation
Fariborz Doroudi; Mahdiyeh Kalantary-Khandani
Volume 13, Issue 1 , May 2016, , Pages 28-33
Abstract
Introduction: Improvement of services in any organization depends on the professional growth and promotion of knowledge and proficiency level of the employees. Accordingly, evaluation of librarians' knowledge and proficiency level seems to be essential. The goal of the present research was ...
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Introduction: Improvement of services in any organization depends on the professional growth and promotion of knowledge and proficiency level of the employees. Accordingly, evaluation of librarians' knowledge and proficiency level seems to be essential. The goal of the present research was to study the competences of librarians of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Methods: The present research was of descriptive survey. The study population consisted of 67 librarians in Kerman University of Medical Science. The required information was gathered using the Librarians' Competencies Questionnaire which consisted of 115 questions in the framework of 7 competencies. These competencies consist of management, classification, organization, information services, information technology, research, and communication. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by specialists, and its reliability was determined using Cronbach’s alpha (0.98). The data was analyzed using descriptive methods and SPSS statistical software. Results: The results showed that the average competency score of the librarians regarding management, classification, organization, informative services, information technology, research, and communication was 4.09, 3.87, 3.61, 3.81, 3.35, and 4.17, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of this research revealed that the librarians of Kerman University of Medical Sciences obtained higher scores in communicative competencies compared with other competences. As a result, they require more knowledge and skills in competencies of research, information technology, and organization.
Nasrin Nasiripour; Mohsen Nowkarizi; Masoumeh Tajafari
Volume 13, Issue 2 , April 2016, , Pages 96-101
Abstract
Introduction: Librarians in academic libraries should have suitable information literacy skills in order to access the information they need and meet the needs of their clients. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate and determine the status of the three levels of information literacy skills ...
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Introduction: Librarians in academic libraries should have suitable information literacy skills in order to access the information they need and meet the needs of their clients. Hence, the present study aimed to evaluate and determine the status of the three levels of information literacy skills and their related factors among librarians of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran. Methods: This applied research was conducted through survey method. The study population consisted of all librarians with a bachelor’s degree or master's degree in librarianship or non-librarianship fields working in the abovementioned university libraries (n = 120). Through non-proportional stratified random sampling method, 80 individuals were selected as the final sample. The assessment tool was a researcher-made questionnaire the validity and reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.86) of which were confirmed. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics (frequency distribution, mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (one-sample t-test, independent t-test, ANOVA, and Duncan's post hoc test) in SPSS software. Results: The librarians’ information literacy status was less than desirable; neither of the elementary, basic, and advanced levels of information literacy had desirable scores among the librarians. The mean scores of information literacy of librarians with degrees in librarianship and medical librarianship were significantly higher than that of librarians with other degrees. Moreover, the mean information literacy score of librarians with a master’s degree was higher than that of librarians with a bachelor’s degree. There was no significant difference between the mean information literacy scores of librarians based on their work experience. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the undesirable status of information literacy and its three levels among librarians. Moreover, it indicated the effective factors for improving information literacy among librarians for the planners and administrators of the libraries of these two universities.
Sima Shafie; Rasoul Nouri; Alireza Rahimi; Parisa Shafie; Roghaieh Ghazavi
Volume 10, Issue 1 , May 2014, , Pages 1-11
Abstract
Introduction: Library software is a computer-based program that is used in libraries and informationcenters for information storage, processing and retrieval. Interface environment is a part of librarysoftware that establishes connection between computer and user and also shifts information between userand ...
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Introduction: Library software is a computer-based program that is used in libraries and informationcenters for information storage, processing and retrieval. Interface environment is a part of librarysoftware that establishes connection between computer and user and also shifts information between userand the system. The present study aimed to determine the attitudes of librarians in Isfahan University ofMedical Sciences towards the specifications of Pars Azarakhsh library software interface in 2009.Methods: A questionnaire was used for data collection, consisting of 51 closed questions. The studypopulation included the librarians in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Librarians were all thosewho were working in libraries of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (n = 50). Descriptive statisticsmethods and correlation test were used for data analysis.Results: The results of this research showed that librarians believed some factors like pageant, vocabularyand messages of software as well as learning how to use software were in medium and upper thanmedium. Moreover, librarian's attitude toward help and other capabilities was lower than medium. All thelibrarians believed that Pars Azarakhsh software user interface environment was medium (3.20). Inaddition, there was a non-significant difference between Pars Azarakhsh software user interface andcomputer literacy of librarians. There was a significant difference between letters and messages ofsoftware and library literacy of librarians and there was no significant difference between other variablesof Pars Azarakhsh software user interface and library literacy of librarians.Conclusion: Findings showed that librarians' view about Pars Azarakhsh variables was at medium level.Among these variables, some such as how to work with software, pageant, vocabulary, and messages ofsoftware were in the best situation. However, help features and other capabilities need to be developed more.
Mostafa Chadeganipour; Hossein Rafiee; Rezvan Ojaghi; Seiyede Tayyebeh Hashemi; Ahmad papi; Mojtaba Akbari
Volume 9, Issue 5 , November and December 2012, , Pages 724-732
Abstract
Introduction: Fungi are biological threatening which exist in all the environments. Libraries andarchive centers are a suitable environment for the growth of fungi. The aim of this study was toidentify fungal life-threatening factors for librarians and users in libraries of Isfahan University ofMedical ...
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Introduction: Fungi are biological threatening which exist in all the environments. Libraries andarchive centers are a suitable environment for the growth of fungi. The aim of this study was toidentify fungal life-threatening factors for librarians and users in libraries of Isfahan University ofMedical Sciences in 2011.Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study. The study populationincluded libraries of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2011. 126 samples were chosen inseven libraries at three different day times (morning, noon and evening), from the atmosphere,books and surfaces (desks, computers, book shelves etc.). Culture media (Sc) containing sampleswere placed at 25-30° C. After the growth of fungi, they were identified by macroscopic andmicroscopic criteria.Results: A total of 2140 colonies belonging to 26 fungal genera were isolated from the sevenlibraries. The highest amounts of colonies (555) were isolated from the library of School ofDentistry and the lowest amounts (70) were isolated from the library of School of Managementand Information Sciences. Cladosporium, Penicillium, Yeasts, Aspergillus Niger and Aspergillushad the highest prevalence and Aureobasidium Rhizopus, Scopulariopsis, Botrytis, Neurosporaand Curvularia had the lowest prevalence. There was no significant correlation between thesampling times and fungal contamination.Conclusion: Cladosporium Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Aspergillus Niger, which had thehighest prevalence rate, are the opportunistic pathogens that may cause infection for those proneto them.
mehdi Alipour-hafezi
Volume 9, Issue 4 , September and October 2012, , Pages 594-601
Abstract
Introduction: Direct and rapid access to information is one of the main necessities of the users innew technological world. Nowadays, information users, particularly medical information inwhich rapid access is of necessity, do not have enough time to search and access to information.Therefore, the present ...
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Introduction: Direct and rapid access to information is one of the main necessities of the users innew technological world. Nowadays, information users, particularly medical information inwhich rapid access is of necessity, do not have enough time to search and access to information.Therefore, the present study aimed to determine strategies to access required information as soonas possible.Methods: This study was performed using library research and content analysis to providestrategies for content and services integration in central library software of Iranian Universities ofMedical Sciences. Since there is one central library in each university, all central libraries of 46Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences affiliated to Ministry of Health and Medical Education,constituted the study population. Descriptive statistics and Excel software were used in order toanalyze, describe, and evaluate the findings.Results: Findings of this study illustrated that central libraries in the studied universities as wellas their used software for storage and retrieval of bibliographic information and also some of thedata software do not care about information exchange and consequently integration ofinformation with other academic central libraries. 71.4% of the studied libraries used ParsAzarakhsh Software. The mentioned software uses MARC metadata format. In addition, 86% ofthe studied applications could offer standard output metadata format.Conclusion: Given the findings of this study, it is possible to use integration strategies in order toexploit the existing data. Therefore, the studied libraries should integrate their bibliographic data.Thus, it is recommended to use simultaneous searching model, Z39.50 protocol and ISO 2709standard to integrate their data.
Shahin Mojiri; Fariba Rakhsh; Najmeh Nohrouzian; Mansoureh Ardestani; Mohammad Mousavi
Volume 9, Issue 6 , March 2012, , Pages 862-869
Abstract
Introduction: Nowadays, use of library software is a basic need for libraries and information centers.User interface is a part of computerized systems which is interacting to the user and it is an importantfactor in information searching process. This study aimed to compare librarian's satisfaction rate ...
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Introduction: Nowadays, use of library software is a basic need for libraries and information centers.User interface is a part of computerized systems which is interacting to the user and it is an importantfactor in information searching process. This study aimed to compare librarian's satisfaction rate fromlibrary software interface in Isfahan libraries in 2010.Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical study which was performed on Isfahan's librarians (n = 650),and the sample size (n = 242) was determined according to the Morgan’s and Krejcie’s sample size table.Five library software were compared together including: Pars-Azarakhsh, Payam, Nosa, Kavosh, andNamayeh. Sampling was conducted through stratified quota method. Data were collected usingquestionnaire for user interaction satisfaction (QUIS) in 5-point Likert scale.Results: In terms of general features (mean = 4), information display (mean = 3.79), terminology andsystem feedback (mean = 3.07), help (mean = 3.64) and system capabilities and properties (mean = 3.76),Nosa software was the first ranking software and Pars-Azarakhsh and Kavosh were the second and third,respectively.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, Nosa was the best software and Pars Azarakhsh andKavosh were ranked the second and third, respectively. Since librarians spend most of their working hourswith several library software, their job satisfaction from the software interface has a large impact on thesuccess of software companies, thus supporting and training department of such companies must haveregular meetings and forums to examine the factors influencing on librarians’ satisfaction from librarysoftware and also apply librarians’ comments in their designs.
