Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Knowledge and Information Science, MSc, Knowledge and Information Science, School of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Knowledge and Information Science, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, School of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Knowledge and Information Science, Department of Knowledge and Information Science, School of Education and Psychology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
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 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.
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